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Tow motor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between tow motor operators and machine operator/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 tow motor operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator has an average salary of $32,452, which is higher than the $29,544 average annual salary of a tow motor operator.

The top three skills for a tow motor operator include production lines, safety procedures and pallet jack. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Tow motor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Tow Motor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$29,544$32,452
Hourly rate$14.20$15.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs72,291120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Tow motor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

Tow Motor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$29,544$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $36,000Between $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 tow motor operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Tow Motor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Tow motor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

Tow Motor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 91.6% Female, 8.4%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 1.8% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between tow motor operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Tow motor operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Fabricate and assemble products using CNC machine by keying in programs numbers and also codes.
  • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
  • Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

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.
  • Show more

Tow motor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common tow motor operator skills
  • Production Lines, 25%
  • Safety Procedures, 12%
  • Pallet Jack, 9%
  • RF Scanner, 7%
  • Line Assembly, 5%
  • Transport Vehicles, 4%
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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