Truck operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between truck operators and fork truck operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a truck operator, becoming a fork truck operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a truck operator has an average salary of $39,608, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a truck operator include CDL, industrial cleaning and customer service. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Truck operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$39,608	$32,272
Hourly rate	$19.04	$15.52
Growth rate	4%	7%
Number of jobs	667,980	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	2	4

Truck operator vs fork truck operator salary

Truck operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$39,608	$32,272
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $50,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Saint Paul, MN	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	Mars	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Construction	Finance

Differences between truck operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a truck operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Truck operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between truck operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between truck operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Truck operator example responsibilities.

Manage and execute standard operations of a semi-tractor trailer for OTR drop and hook services.
Possess HAZMAT license endorsement for volatile fuels and CDL.
Operate container delivery vehicles and transfer station equipment (wheel loaders) and tractor trailer driver.
Load haul trucks with excavators and front end loaders, excavate pits, ponds and cut roads.
Operate mowing and landscape equipment.
Operate a bobcat on job sites.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Truck operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common truck operator skills

CDL, 24%
Industrial Cleaning, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Bucket Truck, 5%
DOT, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Truck Operator
Truck Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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