Unloader operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between unloader operators and fork truck operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an unloader operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, an unloader operator has an average salary of $37,270, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for an unloader operator include rail cars, storage tanks and unload trucks. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Unloader operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Unloader Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$37,270	$32,272
Hourly rate	$17.92	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,366	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Unloader operator vs fork truck operator salary

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

	Unloader Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$37,270	$32,272
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between unloader operator and fork truck operator education

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

	Unloader Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Unloader operator vs fork truck operator demographics

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

	Unloader Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.2% White, 59.0% 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 unloader operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Unloader 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.
Recycle used materials -cleane assigned areas -Assist in other warehouse areas as needed

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.

Unloader operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common unloader operator skills

Rail Cars, 84%
Storage Tanks, 8%
Unload Trucks, 8%

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
Unloader Operator
Unloader Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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