Wheel loader operator vs forklift operator

The differences between wheel loader operators 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 wheel loader operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $32,803 average annual salary of a wheel loader operator.

The top three skills for a wheel loader operator include asphalt, routine maintenance and forks. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Wheel loader operator vs forklift operator overview

	Wheel Loader Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,803	$34,213
Hourly rate	$15.77	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	43,637	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Wheel loader operator vs forklift operator salary

Wheel loader operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wheel Loader Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,803	$34,213
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $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 wheel loader operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a wheel loader operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Wheel Loader Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Wheel loader operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between wheel loader operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Wheel Loader Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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 Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between wheel loader operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Wheel loader operator example responsibilities.

Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Experience also includes track hoe and dozer operations as needed.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

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.

Wheel loader operator vs forklift operator skills

Common wheel loader operator skills

Asphalt, 57%
Routine Maintenance, 29%
Forks, 15%

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Wheel Loader Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Wheel Loader Operator
Wheel Loader Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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