Skidder operator vs lift operator

The differences between skidder operators and lift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a skidder operator and a lift operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a lift operator are pallets, fork-lift, and electric pallet jack.

Skidder operator vs lift operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$32,309
Hourly rate	$18.91	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Skidder operator vs lift operator salary

Skidder operators and lift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Skidder Operator	Lift Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$32,309
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between skidder operator and lift operator education

There are a few differences between a skidder operator and a lift operator in terms of educational background:

	Skidder Operator	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Skidder operator vs lift operator demographics

Here are the differences between skidder operators' and lift operators' demographics:

	Skidder Operator	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.1% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and lift operator duties and responsibilities

Skidder operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Operate a skidder, pulling logs to the landing after setting chokers on them
Perform inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organize pallets into the warehouse and receive packaging materials.
Hook and pull logs from wood areas to loading yard area and knuckle boom.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Lift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location

Skidder operator vs lift operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

Transport Logs, 30%
General Maintenance, 14%
Air Filters, 10%
Equipment Maintenance, 9%
Booms, 9%
CDL, 8%

Common lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Lift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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