Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between utility people and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a utility person has an average salary of $40,539, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a utility person include asphalt, plant equipment and safety procedures. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.
| Utility Person | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $40,539 | $32,452 |
| Hourly rate | $19.49 | $15.60 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 36,802 | 120,073 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Average age | 36 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A utility person is in charge of maintaining the cleanliness of facilities and establishments. Working under the directives of managers or supervisors, they are often tasked with cleaning floors and windows, arranging furniture and fixtures, performing basic repairs on equipment and systems, operating tools and machines, and organizing different building supplies. Furthermore, as a utility person, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on facilities and adhere to the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
Utility people and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Person | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $40,539 | $32,452 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $52,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Renton, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | American Water | TreeHouse Foods |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a utility person and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Utility Person | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between utility people' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:
| Utility Person | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 36 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.5% Female, 15.5% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 5.7% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |