Terminal operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between terminal operators and production 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 production forklift operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a terminal operator include loaders, cranes and rail cars. The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Terminal operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Terminal Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$39,948	$34,322
Hourly rate	$19.21	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	43,328	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Terminal operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Terminal Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$39,948	$34,322
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $48,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Fargo, ND	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Alaska
Best paying company	Land O'Lakes	Darigold
Best paying industry	Construction	Manufacturing

Differences between terminal operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Terminal Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Terminal operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between terminal operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Terminal Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between terminal operator and production forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Terminal operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Terminal Operator
Terminal Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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