Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between terminal 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 terminal operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.
The top three skills for a terminal operator include loaders, cranes and rail cars. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Terminal Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,948 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $19.21 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 43,328 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A terminal operator is responsible for assisting daily operations within the transportation or manufacturing agencies. Terminal operators inspect the stability and efficiency of equipment and machinery to ensure its optimal performance during operational processes. They conduct quality control tests to determine inconsistencies in terminal functions and strategize techniques to enhance distribution policies. A terminal operator must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to maintain terminal equipment and assist the team in performing duties to achieve business goals and objectives.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Terminal operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Terminal Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,948 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Land O'Lakes | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a terminal operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Terminal Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between terminal operators' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Terminal Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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% |