The average salary for a forklift operator in Kentucky is around $38,080 per year.
Avg Salary
Forklift operators earn an average yearly salary of $38,080.
Wages typically start from $28,960 and go up to $54,460.
34% below national average Updated in 2021
Forklift operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$26.18 per hour
$54,460 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$23.08 per hour
$48,000 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$18.31 per hour
$38,080 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$15.57 per hour
$32,380 per year
10th percentile
Starting level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$13.92 per hour
$28,960 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 Kentucky. On average, they make less than tile and marble setters but more than rotary drill operators.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tile and marble setter salary | $39K |
| Cement mason salary | $38K |
| Drywall installer salary | $38K |
| Recreational vehicle service technician salary | $39K |
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $38K |
| Forklift operator salary | $38K |
| Hazardous materials removal worker salary | $38K |
| Roofer salary | $37K |
| Construction worker salary | $37K |
| Rotary drill operator salary | $37K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)