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The differences between truck operators and forklift 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 forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a truck operator has an average salary of $39,608, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.
The top three skills for a truck operator include CDL, industrial cleaning and customer service. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Truck Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,608 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 667,980 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 48 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Truck Operators are individuals making a living by driving trucks and heavy goods vehicles such as articulated trucks, semi-trailers, and tankers. They are responsible for administering goods, loading and unloading into the truck, assessing the goods conditions, scheduling transport operations, arranging transport documentations, and inspecting vehicle conditions before starting work. Other duties include checking tires, fuel, oil filters, and oil levels. Truck Operators also supervise delivery operations, vehicle cleaning, tire maintenance, and refueling.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Truck operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,608 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Washington | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Mars | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a truck operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Truck Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck operators' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Truck Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 48 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| 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, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |