Special Offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed with Urgently Hiring make a hire 5 days faster than non-sponsored jobs.**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires

Forklift Operator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
7 min read

A Forklift Operator, or Material Handler, is a certified employee who operates forklifts, pallet jacks and other equipment in warehouses, on construction sites and in other environments where heavy loads must be moved safely.

Responsibilities commonly listed in Forklift Operator job descriptions include preparing and securing loads, operating equipment and adhering to safety and compliance requirements.

Forklift Operator duties and responsibilities

Forklift Operators may only operate equipment, though many organizations include forklift operation as part of duties related to general warehouse or facility management.

Forklift Operator duties can include:

  • Handling materials, such as moving finished products or raw or hazardous (HAZMAT) materials

  • Managing inventory-related tasks, such as optimizing space or logging inventory into digital systems

  • Overseeing equipment inspections and maintaining the fleet

  • Complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and other safety considerations

  • Utilizing specialized forklift attachments, such as drum handlers, clamps and rotators

Hire your next Forklift Operator today.

Build a job description

Hire your next Forklift Operator today.

Build a job description
Close

Forklift Operator Job Description Examples

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

What does a Forklift Operator do?

Forklift Operators support overall production or organization in a warehouse or industrial setting. They can help optimize space to reduce costs, ensure the safe transport of materials and keep large inventories accurate for improved sales and costs.

The Forklift Operator responsibilities included in your job description should align with business needs. For example, if real-time inventory is critical to your operations, consider including scanning and logging inventory with handheld or forklift-mounted devices.

Forklift Operator skills and qualifications

Skills you may want to look for in applicants include:

  • Ability to operate relevant machinery

  • Knowledge of reach trucks, pallet jacks and related equipment and safety standards

  • Computer skills to operate inventory scanners, GPS systems, warehouse management software and other technology

  • Observational and safety skills to recognize hazards or safety risks and respond accordingly

  • Physical capability to move and lift some items manually and get in and out of equipment

Forklift Operator experience requirements

If you want to build a large team, you may hire some experienced Forklift Operators and some entry-level candidates who can train on the job. Consider looking for several years of work as a certified Forklift Operator.

Skills-first hiring can be an excellent choice for finding candidates with less experience who are suited for the role. For example, someone with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or background as a Logistics Supervisor in a warehouse may have transferable skills to be a Forklift Operator.

Forklift Operator education and training requirements

When hiring Forklift Operators, consider the OSHA requirements. Individuals must be at least 18 years old and have completed the required training. In addition to federal OSHA-mandated training, your state may have certification requirements for Forklift Operators.

Forklift Operator salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Forklift Operator is $43,078 per year. To determine a competitive wage when making a job offer to a Forklift Operator, consider the average pay in your location, the experience of the candidate and the nature of the work, including the shift.

Forklift Operator salary expectations

2025-10-019.5018.8129.70HOURLY
  • Common salary: 18.81 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 9.50 - 29.70 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description doesn’t quite apply to your open position, other templates and articles are available in our database. Positions similar to Forklift Operator include:

Forklift Operator job description FAQs

Who does a Forklift Operator report to?

Forklift Operators typically report to location Supervisors, such as Warehouse Supervisors or Construction Supervisors. Depending on the size of your organization, Forklift Operators might report to team leaders.

What traits should you look for in a Forklift Operator?

In addition to relevant certifications and experience operating similar equipment, successful Forklift Operators typically demonstrate patience, attention to detail and strong communication skills. These individuals often ensure safety and proper inventory management, so candidates should be able to recognize and communicate about patterns and risks.

What is the difference between a Forklift Operator and a Warehouse Worker?

Warehouse Workers may be entry-level employees who pick orders, manage inventory and perform light maintenance duties. In some cases, these workers may also be certified to operate a forklift and do so periodically within the context of their jobs.

What should you look for on a Forklift Operator resume?

Key phrases related to skills, certification and OSHA-approved training courses can help you identify viable Forklift Operator candidates. You may also look for evidence of experience with inventory or equipment management.

Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Hire your next Forklift Operator today.

Build a job description

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found