Sorter operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between sorter operators and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator has an average salary of $32,452, which is higher than the $29,616 average annual salary of a sorter operator.

The top three skills for a sorter operator include check processing, safety procedures and zip codes. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Sorter operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Sorter Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$29,616	$32,452
Hourly rate	$14.24	$15.60
Growth rate	-6%	7%
Number of jobs	48,336	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	-	4

Sorter operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Sorter operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sorter Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$29,616	$32,452
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $35,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between sorter operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a sorter operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Sorter Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Sorter operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between sorter operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Sorter Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.2% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	4%

Differences between sorter operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Sorter operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Maintain safe operations of all USPS equipment through daily inspections for proper use.
Process checks using NDP sorter reader machines, ensuring quality and high production in deadline-driven environment.
Operate high speed sortation systems comprise of omni-directional accusort and scanners.
Identify, troubleshoot, and present recommendation regarding audit control functions within banking guidelines.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Sorter operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common sorter operator skills

Check Processing, 27%
Safety Procedures, 13%
ZIP Codes, 12%
POD, 4%
Assembly Line, 4%
Image Capture, 3%

Common machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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Sorter Operator
Sorter Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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