Forklift Operator Salary Overview
The average annual salary for a forklift operator in the United States is approximately $24,966. Salaries typically range between $19,795 for entry-level positions and $31,487 for experienced operators. This income level is around 62% below the national average salary.
Forklift Operator Salary by Seniority Level
| Seniority Level | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Top-Level (90th percentile) | $15.14 | $31,487 |
| Senior-Level (75th percentile) | $13.56 | $28,209 |
| Mid-Level (Median, 50th percentile) | $12.00 | $24,966 |
| Junior-Level (25th percentile) | $10.62 | $22,095 |
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $9.52 | $19,795 |
These values illustrate the earnings based on experience, with higher levels of experience generally leading to increased wages.
Forklift Operator Salary by State
Forklift operator salaries vary significantly by state, with operators in states like Hawaii and the District of Columbia earning the highest average salaries.
| State | 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 |
Forklift Operator Salaries Compared to Similar Careers
Forklift operators have a median salary of $25,000, which is comparable to other trades and roles in industrial sectors. They generally earn less than electricians and log graders but more than welders and maintenance workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrician | $27,000 |
| Log Grader | $28,000 |
| Rigger | $26,000 |
| Machine Assembler | $26,000 |
| Tile and Marble Setter | $24,000 |
| Forklift Operator | $25,000 |
| Plumber | $24,000 |
| Maintenance Worker | $23,000 |
| Carpenter | $23,000 |
| Welder | $23,000 |
These insights show the diversity in forklift operator salaries across different regions and career levels, as well as how their compensation compares to similar fields.
Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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