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The differences between terminal 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 terminal operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a terminal operator include loaders, cranes and rail cars. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Terminal Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,948 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $19.21 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 43,328 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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.
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Terminal operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Terminal Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,948 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $48,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Land O'Lakes | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a terminal operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Terminal Operator | Material Handler/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 material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Terminal Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 16.3% 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% |