Tractor sweeper operator vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between tractor sweeper 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 tractor sweeper operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $33,761 average annual salary of a tractor sweeper operator.

The top three skills for a tractor sweeper operator include CDL, asphalt and sweepers. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Tractor sweeper operator vs material handler/forklift operator overview

	Tractor Sweeper Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$33,761	$36,453
Hourly rate	$16.23	$17.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	41,198	168,379
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Tractor sweeper operator vs material handler/forklift operator salary

Tractor sweeper operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tractor Sweeper Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$33,761	$36,453
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $44,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Woodburn, OR	Lakeville, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	Walsh Electric	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between tractor sweeper operator and material handler/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a tractor sweeper operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Tractor Sweeper Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tractor sweeper operator vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between tractor sweeper operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:

	Tractor Sweeper Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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%

Differences between tractor sweeper operator and material handler/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Tractor sweeper operator example responsibilities.

Manage and uphold park cleanliness by monitoring patron behavior and being responsible for cleaning up spills from humans or animals
Operate sweepers in various locations, primarily construction sites.
Used backpack blowers for cleaning corners and islands; also clean shipping and receiving docks for local stores.
Operate street sweepers; sweep and maintain grounds of client's property.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Maintain proper communication with management and frac crews on/off-site.

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.

Tractor sweeper operator vs material handler/forklift operator skills

Common tractor sweeper operator skills

CDL, 38%
Asphalt, 30%
Sweepers, 27%
Traffic Control, 3%
Safety Checks, 1%
Water Tanks, 0%

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Tractor Sweeper Operator
Tractor Sweeper Operator vs Material Handler/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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