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Waste transportation technician vs forklift operator

The differences between waste transportation technicians and 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 a waste transportation technician and a forklift operator. Additionally, a waste transportation technician has an average salary of $47,634, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a waste transportation technician include DOT, medical waste and hazardous waste operations. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Waste transportation technician vs forklift operator overview

Waste Transportation TechnicianForklift Operator
Yearly salary$47,634$34,213
Hourly rate$22.90$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs14,398213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Waste transportation technician vs forklift operator salary

Waste transportation technicians and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Waste Transportation TechnicianForklift Operator
Average salary$47,634$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $80,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between waste transportation technician and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a waste transportation technician and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

Waste Transportation TechnicianForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waste transportation technician vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between waste transportation technicians' and forklift operators' demographics:

Waste Transportation TechnicianForklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 86.7% Female, 13.3%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 20.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.8% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between waste transportation technician and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Waste transportation technician example responsibilities.

  • Skil in reading and measuring cardiac rhythm strips, blood glucose , 12 leads EKG.
  • Prepare to independently calm patients waking from anesthesia during transportation and to assist medical professionals during any number of medical emergencies.
  • Work independently, using judgment and discretion in making decisions that directly impact facility compliance.

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
  • Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
  • Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
  • Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
  • Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.
  • Show more

Waste transportation technician vs forklift operator skills

Common waste transportation technician skills
  • DOT, 67%
  • Medical Waste, 24%
  • Hazardous Waste Operations, 9%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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