Unloader operator vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between unloader operators and material handler/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 an unloader operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, an unloader operator has an average salary of $37,270, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/forklift operator.

The top three skills for an unloader operator include rail cars, storage tanks and unload trucks. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Unloader operator vs material handler/forklift operator overview

	Unloader Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$37,270	$36,453
Hourly rate	$17.92	$17.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,366	168,379
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Unloader operator vs material handler/forklift operator salary

Unloader operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Unloader Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$37,270	$36,453
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Lakeville, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between unloader operator and material handler/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between an unloader operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Unloader Operator	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Unloader operator vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between unloader operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:

	Unloader Operator	Material Handler/Forklift 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between unloader operator and material handler/forklift 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

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.

Unloader operator vs material handler/forklift operator skills

Common unloader operator skills

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

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 4%

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Unloader Operator
Unloader Operator vs Material Handler/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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