There are currently an estimated 796,600 forklift operators in the United States. The forklift operator job market is expected to grow by 3.8% between 2022 and 2032.
How employable are forklift operators?
CareerExplorer rates forklift operators with a B- employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 36,300 forklift operators. That number is based on 29,900 additional forklift operators, and the retirement of 6,400 existing forklift operators.
What’s the supply of forklift operators?
The forklift operator industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Georgia
Forklift Operator job market by state
| State Name | Employed Forklift Operators |
|---|---|
| Texas | 62,820 |
| California | 59,260 |
| Georgia | 33,790 |
| Pennsylvania | 31,580 |
| Ohio | 26,640 |
| Illinois | 25,010 |
| North Carolina | 23,250 |
| Florida | 21,160 |
| Tennessee | 17,980 |
| New Jersey | 17,640 |
| Michigan | 17,110 |
| New York | 16,130 |
| Indiana | 16,000 |
| Kentucky | 13,880 |
| Virginia | 13,140 |
| Wisconsin | 12,920 |
| Washington | 11,570 |
| Missouri | 11,070 |
| Colorado | 10,210 |
| Arizona | 9,650 |
| Oregon | 9,510 |
| Alabama | 9,130 |
| Minnesota | 8,630 |
| South Carolina | 7,950 |
| Arkansas | 7,140 |
| Mississippi | 7,060 |
| Maryland | 6,940 |
| Louisiana | 6,910 |
| Iowa | 6,580 |
| Oklahoma | 6,230 |
| Massachusetts | 5,680 |
| Kansas | 5,320 |
| Utah | 4,510 |
| Nebraska | 3,250 |
| Puerto Rico | 2,710 |
| Nevada | 2,680 |
| Maine | 2,660 |
| Connecticut | 2,270 |
| Idaho | 2,250 |
| West Virginia | 2,180 |
| Delaware | 1,880 |
| New Hampshire | 1,580 |
| South Dakota | 1,320 |
| Rhode Island | 1,210 |
| North Dakota | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | 1,100 |
| Wyoming | 1,040 |
| Montana | 1,010 |
| Vermont | 860 |
| Hawaii | 770 |
| Alaska | 600 |
| Guam | 180 |
| District of Columbia | 90 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 50 |