Skidder operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between skidder operators and lift truck 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 truck operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $36,973 average annual salary of a lift truck operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Skidder operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$36,973
Hourly rate	$18.91	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	103,337
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 truck operator salary

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

	Skidder Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$36,973
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between skidder operator and lift truck operator education

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

	Skidder Operator	Lift Truck 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 truck operator demographics

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

	Skidder Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and lift truck 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 truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Skidder operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

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

Common lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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