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Trenching machine operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between trenching machine 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 trenching machine operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a trenching machine operator has an average salary of $39,238, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a trenching machine operator include ditch, and . The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Trenching machine operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Trenching Machine OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$39,238$32,452
Hourly rate$18.86$15.60
Growth rate4%7%
Number of jobs57,719120,073
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Trenching machine operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

Trenching Machine OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$39,238$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $54,000Between $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 trenching machine operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Trenching Machine OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Trenching machine operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

Trenching Machine OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 97.9% Female, 2.1%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%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 Percentage2%4%

Differences between trenching machine operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Trenching machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
  • Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.

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

Trenching machine operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common trenching machine operator skills
  • Ditch, 100%
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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