Wheel loader operator vs terminal operator

The differences between wheel loader operators and terminal 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 terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, 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 terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Wheel loader operator vs terminal operator overview

	Wheel Loader Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$32,803	$39,948
Hourly rate	$15.77	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	43,637	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Wheel loader operator vs terminal operator salary

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$32,803	$39,948
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between wheel loader operator and terminal operator education

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Wheel loader operator vs terminal operator demographics

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

	Wheel Loader Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
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, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between wheel loader operator and terminal 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.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Wheel loader operator vs terminal operator skills

Common wheel loader operator skills

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

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

Wheel Loader Operator vs. similar jobs

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Wheel Loader Operator related jobs

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Transportation Industry
Wheel Loader Operator
Wheel Loader Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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