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Waste transportation technician vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between waste transportation technicians and machine operator/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 machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a waste transportation technician has an average salary of $47,634, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/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 machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Waste transportation technician vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Waste Transportation TechnicianMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$47,634$32,452
Hourly rate$22.90$15.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs14,398120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Waste transportation technician vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$47,634$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $80,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Renton, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between waste transportation technician and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waste transportation technician vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

Waste Transportation TechnicianMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 86.7% Female, 13.3%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between waste transportation technician and machine operator/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.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
  • Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
  • Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
  • Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.
  • Show more

Waste transportation technician vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common waste transportation technician skills
  • DOT, 67%
  • Medical Waste, 24%
  • Hazardous Waste Operations, 9%
Common machine operator/forklift operator skills
  • Safety Standards, 17%
  • Drive Forklift, 9%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%
  • CNC, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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