Stacker operator vs forklift operator

The differences between stacker operators and 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 stacker operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $33,567 average annual salary of a stacker operator.

The top three skills for a stacker operator include safety rules, quality checks and math. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Stacker operator vs forklift operator overview

	Stacker Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$33,567	$34,213
Hourly rate	$16.14	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	58,796	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Stacker operator vs forklift operator salary

Stacker operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Stacker Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$33,567	$34,213
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $41,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, OR	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	North American Stainless	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Construction	Automotive

Differences between stacker operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a stacker operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Stacker Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Stacker operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between stacker operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Stacker Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between stacker operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Stacker operator example responsibilities.

Manage proper removal and allocation for full yarn spindles.
Set and run industrial banding equipment.
Mow lawn either by using a riding lawnmower.
Ensure board width and edge calipers are within quality specifications.
Thread or feed cloth through or around machine rollers and dryers.
Edge cutting of various lawns-Operating different landscaping tools, (blowers, lawn mowers, ect )

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

Stacker operator vs forklift operator skills

Common stacker operator skills

Safety Rules, 22%
Quality Checks, 16%
Math, 16%
Load Tags, 9%
Assembly Line, 7%
Tape Measure, 6%

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

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Stacker Operator
Stacker Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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