Skidder operator vs reach truck operator

The differences between skidder operators and reach 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 reach truck operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $34,625 average annual salary of a reach truck operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a reach truck operator are pallets, rf scanner, and basic math.

Skidder operator vs reach truck operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$34,625
Hourly rate	$18.91	$16.65
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	137,300
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Skidder operator vs reach truck operator salary

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

	Skidder Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$34,625
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $28,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	United Natural Foods
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between skidder operator and reach truck operator education

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

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

Skidder operator vs reach truck operator demographics

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

	Skidder Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
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, 16.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and reach 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.

Reach truck operator example responsibilities.

Receive product in using WMS (warehouse management system )
Put away and picking of parts using RF scanner.
Train other employees to operate CNC beam line python.
Reach truck operator/picking order from WMS system and put away.
License to use a man-up, forklift, and scissor lift.
Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards ..

Skidder operator vs reach truck operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

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

Common reach truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
RF Scanner, 7%
Basic Math, 7%
SIT, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Warehouse Environment, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Reach Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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