How much does a forklift operator make?
The median forklift operator in the United States earns $46,420 per year, about $22.32 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all forklift operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-7051.
Forklift operator salary range
Pay for forklift operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $62,520. The average (mean) wage of $48,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,840 | $17.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,030 | $19.24 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,420 | $22.32 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $54,770 | $26.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $62,520 | $30.06 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for industrial truck and tractor operators (SOC 53-7051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Forklift operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Forklift operators earn the most in District of Columbia at $83,720 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $41,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $62,150 | 2,620 |
| Delaware | $60,350 | 5,230 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 | 790 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 | 1,450 |
| Alaska | $54,190 | 410 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 | 880 |
| Oregon | $50,760 | 8,560 |
| Colorado | $50,570 | 8,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 | 18,750 |
| Minnesota | $49,740 | 7,110 |
| North Dakota | $49,260 | 930 |
| Utah | $49,040 | 6,830 |
| New York | $49,030 | 18,420 |
| Louisiana | $48,950 | 7,680 |
| Florida | $48,370 | 38,400 |
| Arizona | $48,110 | 12,340 |
| Montana | $48,060 | 910 |
| California | $47,770 | 89,620 |
| Maine | $47,730 | 2,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,730 | 42,110 |
| Illinois | $47,720 | 29,450 |
| Wisconsin | $47,720 | 12,150 |
| Iowa | $47,590 | 7,770 |
| Kansas | $47,430 | 7,700 |
| South Dakota | $47,410 | 1,940 |
| Vermont | $47,380 | 950 |
| Connecticut | $47,190 | 3,780 |
| Virginia | $46,920 | 19,320 |
| Massachusetts | $46,850 | 8,390 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 | 5,020 |
| Kentucky | $46,630 | 11,270 |
| Idaho | $46,600 | 2,560 |
| Ohio | $46,450 | 42,360 |
| New Jersey | $46,100 | 21,790 |
| Indiana | $45,650 | 23,090 |
| Maryland | $45,630 | 13,740 |
| Texas | $45,450 | 88,780 |
| Nevada | $45,230 | 7,300 |
| Michigan | $45,220 | 23,470 |
| Missouri | $45,190 | 11,470 |
| Rhode Island | $45,010 | 780 |
| Alabama | $44,880 | 15,360 |
| Oklahoma | $44,700 | 7,850 |
| Arkansas | $43,780 | 10,850 |
| South Carolina | $43,680 | 14,210 |
| Mississippi | $43,420 | 9,640 |
| North Carolina | $43,420 | 26,830 |
| Georgia | $43,210 | 50,260 |
| Tennessee | $42,100 | 20,070 |
| West Virginia | $41,670 | 1,400 |
State median wages for industrial truck and tractor operators (SOC 53-7051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for forklift operators
The BLS projects employment of forklift operators to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 765,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 776,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 64,700 openings a year for forklift operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a forklift operator
The typical entry-level education for forklift operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a forklift operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $83,720) and the lowest (West Virginia, $41,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 774,420 people work as forklift operators in the United States. At $46,420 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Forklift operator salary FAQ
How much does a forklift operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a forklift operator is $22.32. The middle half of forklift operators earn between $19.24 and $26.33 per hour.
What is the highest forklift operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of forklift operators earn more than $62,520 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a forklift operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a forklift operator is $46,420. The average (mean) wage of $48,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a forklift operator a well paid job?
At $46,420 a year, a forklift operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 774,420 people work as forklift operators in the United States.
Which state pays forklift operators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for forklift operators at $83,720 a year. New Mexico ($62,150) and Delaware ($60,350) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a forklift operator a good career?
Employment of forklift operators is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 64,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a forklift operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for forklift operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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