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Job outlook for dock worker/forklift operators in the United States
Dock worker/forklift operator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected dock worker/forklift operator job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 56,900 new jobs for dock worker/forklift operators are projected over the next decade.
Dock worker/forklift operator salaries have increased 16% for dock worker/forklift operators in the last 5 years.
There are over 440,469 dock worker/forklift operators currently employed in the United States.
There are 110,536 active dock worker/forklift operator job openings in the US.
The average dock worker/forklift operator salary is $42,876.
Are dock worker/forklift operator jobs in demand?
Dock worker/forklift operator job and salary trends over time
Dock worker/forklift operator jobs over time
Dock worker/forklift operator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 440,469 | 0.13% |
| 2020 | 395,821 | 0.12% |
| 2019 | 397,999 | 0.12% |
| 2018 | 384,834 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 362,348 | 0.11% |
Average dock worker/forklift operator salary over time
Dock worker/forklift operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,876 | $20.61 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $41,323 | $19.87 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $39,668 | $19.07 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $38,390 | $18.46 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $37,054 | $17.81 | +1.2% |
Dock worker/forklift operator jobs by state
Most common states for dock worker/forklift operators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 229 | 33% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 282 | 21% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 180 | 21% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,271 | 19% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 374 | 19% |
| 6 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,189 | 18% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,821 | 17% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 523 | 17% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,149 | 16% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 979 | 16% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,505 | 15% |
| 12 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 761 | 15% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 636 | 15% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 159 | 15% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,227 | 14% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 768 | 14% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 247 | 14% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 132 | 14% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 99 | 13% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 253 | 12% |
Most common cities for dock worker/forklift operators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | 6 | 11% | $43,060 |
| 2 | Council Bluffs | 6 | 10% | $44,034 |
| 3 | Des Plaines | 4 | 7% | $43,186 |
| 4 | Greenwood | 4 | 7% | $42,843 |
| 5 | Rockford | 3 | 2% | $43,195 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | 2 | 2% | $44,099 |
| 7 | Duluth | 2 | 2% | $44,779 |
| 8 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $42,864 |
| 9 | Saint Paul | 4 | 1% | $44,824 |
| 10 | Wichita | 3 | 1% | $44,930 |
| 11 | Dayton | 2 | 1% | $43,058 |
| 12 | Columbus | 3 | 0% | $43,092 |