Transfer car operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between transfer car 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 transfer car operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a transfer car operator has an average salary of $36,029, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

Transfer car operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Transfer Car Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$36,029	$32,452
Hourly rate	$17.32	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	46,552	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Transfer car operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Transfer car operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Transfer Car Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$36,029	$32,452
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $43,000	Between $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 transfer car operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

	Transfer Car Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Transfer car operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between transfer car operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Transfer Car Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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 Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between transfer car operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Transfer car operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Take field readings to ensure the DCS and field gauges are accurate.

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.

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Transportation Industry
Transfer Car Operator
Transfer Car Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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