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Forklift operator salary in United States (Updated 2026)

How much does a Forklift Operator make in the United States?

Average base salary

$19.15
Average $19.15
Low $15.51
High $23.63

The average salary for a forklift operator is $19.15 per hour in the United States and $5,437 overtime per year.82.1k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated June 23, 2026).

Forklift Operator job openings in United States

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Shipping Prep & Forklift
Owens Corning3.5out of 5 stars.
Fort Mill, SC
$21 an hour
in 24 minutes

Highest paying companies for Forklift Operator in United States

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
CORONA MILLWORKS
 
$375,000per year
View company
NEFCO
 
$270,008per year
View company
Empire National
 
$261,814per year
View company
Elite Transportation Systems I...
 
$220,000per year
View company
Spirit Delivery
 
$193,143per year
View company
Endeavor Air
 
$140,400per year
View company

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Highest paying cities for Forklift Operators near United States

  1. York, PA
    $19.91 per hour
  2. Carlisle, PA
    $19.86 per hour
  3. Ontario, CA
    $19.71 per hour
  4. Groveport, OH
    $19.46 per hour
  5. Louisville, KY
    $18.87 per hour

Where can a Forklift Operator earn more?

Compare salaries for Forklift Operators in different locations
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