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The differences between warehouse machine operators and driver/warehouse workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a warehouse machine operator and a driver/warehouse worker. Additionally, a driver/warehouse worker has an average salary of $35,198, which is higher than the $33,796 average annual salary of a warehouse machine operator.
The top three skills for a warehouse machine operator include basic math, safety regulations and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a driver/warehouse worker are customer service, CDL, and delivery truck.
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Driver/Warehouse Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $33,796 | $35,198 |
| Hourly rate | $16.25 | $16.92 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 229,051 | 310,383 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines. They are expected to communicate with other team members and provide support for continuous production. Most employers are looking to hire someone with knowledge of production and safety procedures, previous experience as a machine operator, and analytical skills.
A driver/warehouse worker is responsible for transporting goods and services from the warehouse or distribution center to specific destinations based on the delivery details. Driver/warehouse workers assist in loading and unloading items from delivery trucks, storing merchandise to the appropriate warehouse areas, operating various warehouse tools and equipment, and inspecting the delivery vehicle for any engine defects that might cause delays. They also check the inventory report to ensure the correct quantity of items and escalate customers' complaints to the warehouse management for immediate resolution, such as product replacement or issuing refunds.
Warehouse machine operators and driver/warehouse workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Driver/Warehouse Worker | |
| Average salary | $33,796 | $35,198 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $41,000 | Between $27,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fridley, MN | Blaine, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Maryland |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Baker Distributing |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a warehouse machine operator and a driver/warehouse worker in terms of educational background:
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Driver/Warehouse Worker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between warehouse machine operators' and driver/warehouse workers' demographics:
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Driver/Warehouse Worker | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7% | Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 2.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |