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Tugger operator vs forklift operator

The differences between tugger operators and 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 tugger operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $32,478 average annual salary of a tugger operator.

The top three skills for a tugger operator include tuggers, OSHA and warehouse environment. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Tugger operator vs forklift operator overview

Tugger OperatorForklift Operator
Yearly salary$32,478$34,213
Hourly rate$15.61$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs42,294213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Tugger operator vs forklift operator salary

Tugger operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tugger OperatorForklift Operator
Average salary$32,478$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $37,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityFindlay, OHMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyVisionCorp RepDeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industryAutomotiveAutomotive

Differences between tugger operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a tugger operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

Tugger OperatorForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Tugger operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between tugger operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

Tugger OperatorForklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 77.3% Female, 22.7%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 17.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 2.3% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between tugger operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Tugger operator example responsibilities.

  • Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operate cable equipment.
  • Start engines of hoists or winches and used levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
  • Pull dollies of materia safely to the line in a timely manner as to not shut down automotive industry line.
  • Deliver automotive parts to Toyota lineside
  • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
  • Operate a tugger for storage and removal of car parts and supplies to be transport to the Mercedes-Benz plant.
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Forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
  • Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
  • Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
  • Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
  • Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.
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Tugger operator vs forklift operator skills

Common tugger operator skills
  • Tuggers, 34%
  • OSHA, 26%
  • Warehouse Environment, 10%
  • Honda, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
  • RF Scanner, 4%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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