Wheel loader operator vs lift operator

The differences between wheel loader operators 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 wheel loader operator and a lift operator. Additionally, a wheel loader operator has an average salary of $32,803, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

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

Wheel loader operator vs lift operator overview

	Wheel Loader Operator	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,803	$32,309
Hourly rate	$15.77	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	43,637	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Wheel loader operator vs lift operator salary

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Lift Operator
Average salary	$32,803	$32,309
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between wheel loader operator and lift operator education

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Wheel loader operator vs lift operator demographics

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between wheel loader operator and lift 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.

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

Wheel loader operator vs lift operator skills

Common wheel loader operator skills

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

Common lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

Wheel Loader Operator vs. similar jobs

Wheel Loader Operator related careers

Wheel Loader Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Wheel Loader Operator
Wheel Loader Operator vs Lift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs