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Waste transportation technician vs lift operator

The differences between waste transportation technicians and lift 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 lift operator. Additionally, a waste transportation technician has an average salary of $47,634, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

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

Waste transportation technician vs lift operator overview

Waste Transportation TechnicianLift Operator
Yearly salary$47,634$32,309
Hourly rate$22.90$15.53
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs14,39872,445
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Waste transportation technician vs lift operator salary

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianLift Operator
Average salary$47,634$32,309
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $80,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-BD
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between waste transportation technician and lift operator education

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianLift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waste transportation technician vs lift operator demographics

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianLift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 86.7% Female, 13.3%Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between waste transportation technician and lift 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.

Lift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
  • Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
  • Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
  • Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
  • Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location
  • Show more

Waste transportation technician vs lift operator skills

Common waste transportation technician skills
  • DOT, 67%
  • Medical Waste, 24%
  • Hazardous Waste Operations, 9%
Common lift operator skills
  • Pallets, 17%
  • Fork-Lift, 14%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
  • Safety Rules, 9%
  • Power Saws, 4%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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