Unloader operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between unloader operators and lift 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 lift truck operator. Additionally, an unloader operator has an average salary of $37,270, which is higher than the $36,973 average annual salary of a lift truck operator.

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

Unloader operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Unloader Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$37,270	$36,973
Hourly rate	$17.92	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,366	103,337
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 truck operator salary

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

	Unloader Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$37,270	$36,973
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between unloader operator and lift truck operator education

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

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

Unloader operator vs lift truck operator demographics

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

	Unloader Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between unloader operator and lift 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

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Unloader operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common unloader operator skills

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

Common lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Unloader Operator
Unloader Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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