What is the salary range for a Forklift Operator?

Forklift Operator salaries typically range between a low of $15.58 and a high of $23.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Which cities pay the most for Forklift Operator?

Some of the highest-paying cities for Forklift Operator include Phoenix, AZ at $19.93 per hour, Ontario, CA at $19.74 per hour, and Groveport, OH at $19.65 per hour.

Which companies pay the highest salaries for Forklift Operator?

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Forklift Operator include CORONA MILLWORKS ($375,000 per year) and Empire National ($261,814 per year).

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Forklift operator salary in United States

Q: What is the average salary for a Forklift Operator in the United States?

The average salary for a Forklift Operator is $19.18 per hour in the United States. This figure is based on 82.7k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on July 27, 2026. Find your next high paying job as a Forklift Operator on Indeed today

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

Average base salary

$19.18

Average $19.18

Low $15.58

High $23.63

The average salary for a forklift operator is $19.18 per hour in the United States and $5,437 overtime per year.82.7k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated July 27, 2026).

What Does a Forklift Operator Do?

A forklift operator is a manufacturing professional who uses forklifts to transport heavy materials around warehouses, factories, storage sites or construction sites. Forklift operators typically work under the direction of supply chain managers or warehouse managers. They load cargo onto large pallets that are designed with spaces for the forklift’s prongs to insert and remain in place while lifting and moving. The duties of a forklift operator include but, are not limited, to:

Prepping product and merchandise for shipment and moving cargo safely to and from shipping vessels
Inspecting product shipments sent and received for any damaged or missing products
Identifying and reporting any variance from quality standards to a quality assurance manager
Accurately stocking and organizing heavy merchandise or materials in a warehouse or storage location
Communicating using radio equipment for shipping, receiving, organizing and moving materials or product
Keeping track of inventory and accurate counts of sent and received products as part of the supply chain
Maintaining equipment through regular inspections and lubrication and reporting any equipment malfunctions to supervisors
Performing basic equipment maintenance unless a specialized mechanic is needed
Ensuring a safe work environment by adhering to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
Recording processes for quality assurance