Unloader operator vs lift operator

The differences between unloader operators and lift 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 lift operator. Additionally, an unloader operator has an average salary of $37,270, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

The top three skills for an unloader operator include rail cars, storage tanks and unload trucks. The most important skills for a lift operator are pallets, fork-lift, and electric pallet jack.

Unloader operator vs lift operator overview

	Unloader Operator	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$37,270	$32,309
Hourly rate	$17.92	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,366	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Unloader operator vs lift operator salary

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

	Unloader Operator	Lift Operator
Average salary	$37,270	$32,309
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between unloader operator and lift operator education

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

	Unloader Operator	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Unloader operator vs lift operator demographics

Here are the differences between unloader operators' and lift operators' demographics:

	Unloader Operator	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between unloader operator and lift 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

Lift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location

Unloader operator vs lift operator skills

Common unloader operator skills

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

Common lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Unloader Operator
Unloader Operator vs Lift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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