The average salary for a forklift operator in the United States is around $24,966 per year.
Avg Salary
Forklift operators earn an average yearly salary of $24,966.
Wages typically start from $19,795 and go up to $31,487.
62% below national average Updated in 2023
Forklift operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$15.14 per hour
$31,487 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$13.56 per hour
$28,209 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$12.00 per hour
$24,966 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$10.62 per hour
$22,095 per year
10th percentile
Starting level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$9.52 per hour
$19,795 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Forklift operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $58,640 |
| District of Columbia | $55,380 |
| Alaska | $48,980 |
| Montana | $48,790 |
| Delaware | $48,550 |
| Wyoming | $48,550 |
| Rhode Island | $47,050 |
| New Hampshire | $46,550 |
| Minnesota | $46,010 |
| Wisconsin | $43,110 |
| Maryland | $42,450 |
| Oregon | $40,350 |
| Illinois | $39,580 |
| Colorado | $39,160 |
| Connecticut | $39,160 |
| New York | $39,160 |
| Washington | $39,010 |
| California | $38,980 |
| Michigan | $38,980 |
| Vermont | $38,980 |
| New Jersey | $38,710 |
| Utah | $38,710 |
| Massachusetts | $38,640 |
| Arizona | $38,550 |
| North Dakota | $38,500 |
| Ohio | $38,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,500 |
| Virginia | $38,500 |
| New Mexico | $38,380 |
| South Dakota | $38,380 |
| Maine | $38,340 |
| Missouri | $38,340 |
| Nevada | $38,320 |
| Florida | $38,300 |
| Iowa | $38,280 |
| Indiana | $38,280 |
| Louisiana | $38,200 |
| Kentucky | $38,080 |
| Oklahoma | $38,080 |
| Kansas | $37,960 |
| Georgia | $37,900 |
| West Virginia | $37,880 |
| Idaho | $37,620 |
| North Carolina | $37,620 |
| Nebraska | $37,620 |
| Texas | $37,200 |
| Alabama | $36,360 |
| Arkansas | $36,360 |
| South Carolina | $36,360 |
| Tennessee | $36,360 |
| Mississippi | $34,210 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $28,820 |
| Guam | $25,860 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,920 |
How do forklift operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Forklift operators earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than electricians but more than welders.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrician salary | $27K |
| Log grader salary | $28K |
| Rigger salary | $26K |
| Machine assembler salary | $26K |
| Tile and marble setter salary | $24K |
| Forklift operator salary | $25K |
| Plumber salary | $24K |
| Maintenance worker salary | $23K |
| Carpenter salary | $23K |
| Welder salary | $23K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)