All careers › Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Forklift operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $36,840lowest 10% earn less
- $40,03025th percentile
- $46,420median
- $54,77075th percentile
- $62,520top 10% earn more
A forklift operator, which BLS calls an industrial truck and tractor operator, had a median pay of $46,420 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS lists no formal educational credential for entry, with short-term on-the-job training[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +1.5%[5]
- Openings per year
- 64,700[6]
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential[2]
How much do forklift operators make?
The median wage for industrial truck and tractor operators was $46,420 a year, or $22.32 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $48,370 a year, or $23.25 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so the typical forklift operator earned a little less than that[4].
The pay range is fairly narrow. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,840 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $62,520[3]. The 25th percentile was $40,030 and the 75th was $54,770[3]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $17.71 and the 90th was $30.06[8]. A percentile is a boundary in the pay scale. BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].
| Measure | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3] | $36,840 | |
| 25th percentile[3] | $40,030 | |
| Median[1] | $46,420 | |
| 75th percentile[3] | $54,770 | |
| 90th percentile[3] | $62,520 |
These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 774,420 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $83,720, followed by New Mexico at $62,150, Delaware at $60,350, Wyoming at $59,820 and New Hampshire at $54,460[12].
The most jobs were in California (89,620), Texas (88,780), Georgia (50,260), Ohio (42,360) and Pennsylvania (42,110)[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Flint, MI had the highest median at $78,530, followed by Cheyenne, WY at $62,520[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX at 34,650, with a median of $47,230[15]. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA had 28,750 jobs and a median of $44,710[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[12] | $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 |
How to become a forklift operator
BLS lists no formal educational credential, no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training as the typical path[2]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group, material moving machine operators, so they describe that group[16].
- First: consider a high school diploma. No formal credential is typically required, but companies may prefer to hire people with one[17].
- Next: get trained on the job. Training for the group is typically under a month and varies by machine. Forklifts and similar trucks can be learned in a few days[18]. An experienced employee usually does the training[18].
- Then: learn the safety rules. Many are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and employers must certify that each operator has been properly trained[19].
Some employers may ask for certification or favor workers who have it[20]. The facts here do not name a specific certification.
O*NET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, where little to some preparation is needed[21].
What forklift operators do
O*NET describes the job as operating industrial trucks or tractors to carry materials within a warehouse, yard, factory, building site or other similar place[22]. Typical tasks include:
- Working the controls of forklifts and other lifting devices to load, unload, move or stack material[23].
- Driving gasoline or electric trucks and tractors between loading, processing and storage areas[23].
- Loading or unloading materials by hand or with machines[23].
- Positioning lifting devices around loaded pallets or boxes and securing them for transport[23].
- Checking loads for accuracy and moving them safely so they arrive on time[23].
- Weighing materials and recording weights or other data on tags or labels[23].
- Doing routine upkeep such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries and fueling[23].
The BLS profile for the wider group lists communication, coordination, mechanical skills and good vision as important[24][25][26][27]. Sample job titles include forklift driver, lift truck operator and checker loader[28].
Where they work
For the wider group of material moving machine operators, BLS says the work happens indoors and outdoors in a variety of industries[29]. Most have full-time jobs, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[30]. Some work overnight shifts, because materials ship around the clock[30]. Warehousing and storage was the largest employer of the group, with 33% of jobs in 2025[31]. Only 0.5% of forklift operators were self-employed in 2025[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 765,200 to 776,300 jobs, a gain of 11,100[5]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[33]. So this job is expected to grow more slowly than the all-occupation rate.
BLS projects about 64,700 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include new jobs, and also jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations[6]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 5.5% move to a different occupation[34].
The projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the wage and salary count in the pay data[5][11].
Is it a good fit?
The path into this job is short. No formal credential or related experience is listed, and training is on the job[2]. Pay is a little under the all-occupation median, at $46,420 against $50,980[1][4]. Growth of 1.5% is slower than the 3.5% for all occupations, yet about 64,700 openings a year are projected[5][33][6]. The job may suit people who want to start quickly and are fine with indoor and outdoor work and the chance of overnight shifts[2][29][30].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a forklift operator make an hour?
- The median was $22.32 an hour and the mean was $23.25 in May 2025[1][7].
- How much does a forklift operator make a year?
- The median was $46,420 a year in May 2025[1].
- How long does it take to become a forklift operator?
- BLS lists short-term on-the-job training[2]. A BLS profile of the wider group says forklifts may take only a few days to learn[18][16].
- Do you need a degree to be a forklift operator?
- No formal educational credential is typically needed, though companies may prefer a high school diploma[2][17].
- What is the highest paying state for forklift operators?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $83,720, then New Mexico at $62,150[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the US was $46,420 per year and $22.32 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: 10th percentile $36,840, 25th percentile $40,030, 75th percentile $54,770, 90th percentile $62,520. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 765,200 to 776,300 jobs (a change of +11,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 64,700 openings for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators was $48,370 per year and $23.25 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: 10th percentile $17.71, 25th percentile $19.24, 75th percentile $26.33, 90th percentile $30.06. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 774,420 people were employed as Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs: California 89,620; Texas 88,780; Georgia 50,260; Ohio 42,360; Pennsylvania 42,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (areas with at least 100 jobs): Flint, MI $78,530; Cheyenne, WY $62,520; Vallejo, CA $62,460; Albuquerque, NM $62,150; Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $59,850; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,240; Anchorage, AK $58,910; Kenosha, WI $58,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 34,650 (median $47,230); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 28,750 (median $44,710); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 24,720 (median $46,930); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 24,180 (median $47,850); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 22,320 (median $47,950); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 22,170 (median $46,600). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Material Moving Machine Operators" covers Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 53-7051.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 53-7051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Checker Loader, Fork Lift Technician, Fork Truck Driver, Forklift Driver, Forklift Operator, Lift Truck Operator, Shag Truck Driver, Spotter Driver. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of material moving machine operators in 2025: Warehousing and storage 33%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 0.5% of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.