Skidder operator vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between skidder operators and material handler/forklift 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 material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Skidder operator vs material handler/forklift operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$36,453
Hourly rate	$18.91	$17.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	168,379
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Skidder operator vs material handler/forklift operator salary

Skidder operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Skidder Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$36,453
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Lakeville, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between skidder operator and material handler/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a skidder operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Skidder Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Skidder operator vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between skidder operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:

	Skidder Operator	Material Handler/Forklift 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and material handler/forklift 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.

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.

Skidder operator vs material handler/forklift operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

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

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Material Handler/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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