Highest Paying Forklift Operator Jobs in 2022
The best Forklift Operator jobs can pay up to $48,500 per year.
Forklift operators operate forklifts and other equipment to distribute, store, and move goods and cargo. This job combines operating heavy machinery while driving through tight spaces, moving freight, and making sure the whole operation is completed safely and efficiently.
It is possible to get a forklift operator job with no experience, but the employee must then go through training and pass all certification requirements. There are stringent regulations that forklift operators and their employers must follow. An individual who is not trained and does not have proper certification cannot operate a forklift. A forklift operator must have certification or training that follows all local and state laws.
High Paying Forklift Operator Jobs
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Skidder Operator
Salary range:Â $33,500-$48,500 per yearA skidder is a vehicle used in the logging industry to remove cut trees from wooded areas. As a skidder operator, your job duties are to clear the work area by safely removing trees using log grapples, cable winches, crane booms, and other skidder accessories. To excel in this job, you must understand how to operate the skidder in varying conditions safely. Additional qualifications for this career include excellent listening skills and experience working in the logging industry.
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Twic Holders
Salary range: $23,500-$43,000 per yearThe majority of Twic Holders salaries across the United States currently range between $23,500 (25th percentile) and $43,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Twic Holders job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
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Equipment Operator Warehouse
Salary range: $29,000-$39,000 per yearThe majority of Equipment Operator Warehouse salaries across the United States currently range between $29,000 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Equipment Operator Warehouse job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Lift Operator
Salary range:Â $26,500-$37,500 per yearThe majority of Lift Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $26,500 (25th percentile) and $37,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Lift Operator job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Warehouse Operator
Salary range: $28,500-$37,000 per yearA warehouse operator is responsible for a wide range of physical duties as part of the daily operations of a warehouse facility. This role requires the employee to process orders, maintain product inventory, arrange for shipments to customers, and possibly operate heavy equipment like a forklift. Other job duties of a warehouse operator include physically moving products in and out of the warehouse, inspecting products for damage, manually counting product inventory, and maintaining equipment used in the warehouse. The qualifications for a career as a warehouse operator include organizational and leadership skills.
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Stacker Operator
Salary range:Â $27,000-$36,000 per yearThe majority of Stacker Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $27,000 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Stacker Operator job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Clamp Forklift Operator
Salary range: $27,500-$36,000 per yearThe majority of Clamp Forklift Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $27,500 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Clamp Forklift Operator job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
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Forklift Operator Material Handler
Salary range: $27,500-$35,500 per yearThe majority of Forklift Operator Material Handler salaries across the United States currently range between $27,500 (25th percentile) and $35,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Forklift Operator Material Handler job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Reach Truck Operator
Salary range: $28,000-$35,000 per yearA reach truck operator uses a reach truck to load, move, and unload heavy materials in warehouses or large retail stores. Reach trucks are more compact than forklifts, so they’re better for moving items and maneuvering around narrow warehouse aisle configurations.The qualifications to start a career as a reach truck operator are safety and operation training and optional certification. Prior experience and strong communication skills are helpful in carrying out your job duties and responsibilities.
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Clamp Truck Driver
Salary range: $25,000-$34,500 per yearA clamp truck driver operates a clamp truck, which performs similar tasks to a forklift. As a clamp truck driver, your duties are to move large, generally cylindrical objects in a warehouse using the clamp truck. You may also perform maintenance on your vehicle and have other, unrelated duties within the warehouse. Qualifications for this career include a high school degree or GED certificate. Prior job experience in a warehouse and mechanical skills are also useful. You must have a clean driving record and, in some cases, a special operator’s license.
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Stand Up Forklift Driver
Salary range: $27,000-$34,500 per yearThe majority of Stand Up Forklift Driver salaries across the United States currently range between $27,000 (25th percentile) and $34,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Stand Up Forklift Driver job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Roll Clamp Operator
Salary range: $27,000-$34,000 per yearThe majority of Roll Clamp Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $27,000 (25th percentile) and $34,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Roll Clamp Operator job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
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Palletizer Operator
Salary range:Â $25,000-$33,500 per yearThe majority of Palletizer Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $25,000 (25th percentile) and $33,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Palletizer Operator job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
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Certified Forklift Driver
Salary range:Â $27,000-$33,500 per yearThe majority of Certified Forklift Driver salaries across the United States currently range between $27,000 (25th percentile) and $33,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Certified Forklift Driver job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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General Labor Forklift Operator
Salary range: $25,000-$33,000 per yearThe majority of General Labor Forklift Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $25,000 (25th percentile) and $33,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the General Labor Forklift Operator job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Hi Lo Driver
Salary range:Â $25,000-$31,000 per yearA hi lo driver operates a forklift or other type of industrial truck designed to move packages, equipment, or materials. In this career, you can work at a warehouse, airport, rail or truck depot, manufacturing facility, or another facility with storage or shipping operations. Although your daily schedule may vary considerably based on the type of facility, your duties are similar. Your main responsibilities are to load and unload vehicles, transport the goods to a designated area, and stack pallets for reuse. You must also follow instructions for inventory control.
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Forklift Warehouse Worker
Salary range: $25,000-$31,000 per yearThe majority of Forklift Warehouse Worker salaries across the United States currently range between $25,000 (25th percentile) and $31,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Forklift Warehouse Worker job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Stacker
Salary range: $23,500-$30,500 per yearThe majority of Stacker salaries across the United States currently range between $23,500 (25th percentile) and $30,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Stacker job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Pallet Sorter
Salary range: $23,000-$27,000 per yearThe majority of Pallet Sorter salaries across the United States currently range between $23,000 (25th percentile) and $27,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Pallet Sorter job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.