How to hire a fork truck operator

How to hire a fork truck operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fork truck operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fork truck operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fork truck operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a fork truck operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect fork truck operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of fork truck operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Fork Truck Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Fork Truck Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$12-18
   Driver/Material Handler	Primarily, driver/material handlers help maintain the production and distribution of products through inventory pullout, production materials, and supplies delivery, and finished product staging. Material handlers manage the transport of equipment or ammunition and conduct the planning and execution functions for effective grind force training... Show more	$13-21
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Safety Procedures
   • Load Trucks
   • Load Trailers
   • Pallet Jack
   • Assembly Line
   • Safety Rules
   • Fork Trucks
   • Fifo
   • Delivery Truck
   • Inventory Control
   • Semi Trailers
   • Production Lines
   • Truck Operation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
   • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
   • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

   More fork truck operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fork truck operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fork truck operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fork truck operators' average salary in mississippi is 29% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fork truck operators 33% less than senior-level fork truck operators.
   • Certifications. A fork truck operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fork truck operator's salary.

   Average fork truck operator salary

   $15.52hourly

   $32,272 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level fork truck operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

   Average fork truck operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$39,765	$19
   2	Massachusetts	$37,210	$18
   3	Illinois	$36,500	$18
   4	New York	$35,870	$17
   5	Colorado	$35,590	$17
   6	Maryland	$35,341	$17
   7	Idaho	$34,448	$17
   8	Utah	$34,353	$17
   9	Kansas	$33,494	$16
   10	Texas	$33,349	$16
   11	Indiana	$33,116	$16
   12	New Hampshire	$32,001	$15
   13	Virginia	$31,862	$15
   14	Pennsylvania	$31,302	$15
   15	Iowa	$31,270	$15
   16	Wisconsin	$31,126	$15
   17	South Carolina	$30,218	$15

   Average fork truck operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Seneca Foods	$42,520	$20.44	10
   2	The Clorox Company	$40,603	$19.52	14
   3	General Mills	$40,500	$19.47	6
   4	Armstrong World Industries	$39,867	$19.17	4
   5	Ecolab	$39,749	$19.11	7
   6	USG	$38,476	$18.50	10
   7	Chobani	$38,174	$18.35	2
   8	Ardent Mills	$38,015	$18.28	3
   9	Green Mountain Coffee Roasters	$37,944	$18.24
   10	WestRock	$37,543	$18.05	44
   11	International Paper	$37,140	$17.86	35
   12	Crown Equipment	$36,822	$17.70	7
   13	General Dynamics	$36,697	$17.64	26
   14	Anheuser-Busch	$36,289	$17.45	15
   15	General Shale	$36,235	$17.42	8
   16	Victaulic	$35,744	$17.18	5
   17	Mid-City Foundry Co.	$35,533	$17.08
   18	Greystar Real Estate Partners	$34,239	$16.46
   19	Perry's Ice Cream	$33,089	$15.91	2
   20	Great Dane	$32,887	$15.81

4. Writing a fork truck operator job description

   A fork truck operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a fork truck operator job description:

   Fork truck operator job description example

   Vonachen Group was established in 1968 as a private, family-owned janitorial service company. From the very beginning, we've remained true to our "Midwestern values." Our team is hard-working, responsive and reliable. We believe in delivering quality work, honoring our commitments and treating clients and employees with respect. Vonachen Group has earned a reputation as "people of integrity," and it's this reputation we work hard to keep!
   
   Vonachen Group is committed to creating a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for our valued clients. No matter what type of business we serve, Vonachen Group strives to exceed expectations by meeting the unique needs of your facility, staying within budget, responding and adjusting to workflow within 24 hours and working side-by-side with you as a member of your team.
   
   Since its founding, Vonachen Group has evolved into a full-service facility maintenance leader that provides janitorial services, healthcare services, logistics and special services for a wide range of clients throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee.
   Responsibilities/Duties
   
   VSI (Vonachen Services Inc), a Vonachen Family company, is looking to fill a laborer position in a heavy industrial facility in East Moline, IL. Job duties include, but are not limited to running a sweeper/scrubber to clean factory floors, using a forklift to pick up trash hampers and operating an industrial powered vehicle to move material throughout the plant. This person will also clean guardrails throughout the factory.
   
   Required Skills
   
   Power industrial vehicle experience is preferred, but not required. Applicant must be reliable and have an eye for detail. The position will include bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, a lot of walking and lifting up to 40 pounds. Will be mainly involved with paint systems preventative maintenance tasks.
   
   Details
   
   The pay rate is $16.00-17.27/hr (2nd shift), Full Time with benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD and 401K. Daily Pay is now available!!
   
   The work schedule is Monday through Friday.
   
   Must be able to pass pre-employment requirements as needed.
   
   Steel toe shoes are required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right fork truck operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with fork truck operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit fork truck operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fork truck operator job on Zippia to find and recruit fork truck operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit fork truck operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fork truck operator

   Once you've selected the best fork truck operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new fork truck operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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