Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between utility operators and forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a utility operator, becoming a forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a utility operator has an average salary of $38,693, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.
The top three skills for a utility operator include safety standards, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Utility Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,693 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 67,565 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Utility Operators are skilled employees who work with different machines, fixtures, and equipment. They operate a number of machines related to the maintenance of office facilities. Such machines include wastewater filtration systems, manufacturing equipment, and cabling works, among others. They also manage water pipes, machine gauges, and electrical cables. Utility Operators manage the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of industrial machines. They should know how to check whether the machines or equipment are working properly. When equipped with the proper tools and knowledge, they may also conduct repairs on the different machines they handle.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Utility operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,693 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Dignity Health | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a utility operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Utility Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between utility operators' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Utility Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | 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 Percentage | 5% | 4% |