Forklift Driver Demographics and Statistics In The US
Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for forklift drivers in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 482,296 forklift drivers currently employed in the United States.
- 9.0% of all forklift drivers are women, while 91.0% are men.
- The average age of an employed forklift driver is 43 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of forklift drivers is White (56.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (20.2%), Black or African American (15.7%) and Unknown (4.4%).
- Forklift drivers are most in-demand in Fort Worth, TX.
- Shakopee, MN pays an annual average wage of $38,737, the highest in the US.
- In 2021, women earned 99% of what men earned.
- Wisconsin is the best state for forklift drivers to live.
- Forklift drivers are 59% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
Forklift Driver Statistics By Gender
9.0% of forklift drivers are women and 91.0% of forklift drivers are men.
- Male, 91.0%
- Female, 9.0%
Forklift Drivers By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 91.0% |
| Female | 9.0% |
Gender Pay Gap For Forklift Driver
Women Earn 99ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Forklift Driver Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the forklift driver position over time.
Forklift Driver Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 91.15% | 8.85% |
| 2011 | 90.88% | 9.12% |
| 2012 | 92.08% | 7.92% |
| 2013 | 92.29% | 7.71% |
| 2014 | 91.80% | 8.20% |
| 2015 | 92.82% | 7.18% |
| 2016 | 92.10% | 7.90% |
| 2017 | 90.90% | 9.10% |
| 2018 | 90.76% | 9.24% |
| 2019 | 91.63% | 8.37% |
| 2020 | 90.59% | 9.41% |
| 2021 | 91.02% | 8.98% |
Forklift Driver Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, dredge operator and tower crane operator have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Gift Wrapper | 12% | 88% |
| Gift Packer | 18% | 82% |
| Pill Packer | 19% | 81% |
| Forklift Driver | 91% | 9% |
| Green Chain Operator | 99% | 1% |
| Tower Crane Operator | 99% | 1% |
| Dredge Operator | 99% | 1% |
Forklift Driver Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among forklift drivers is White, which makes up 56.3% of all forklift drivers. Comparatively, there are 20.2% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 15.7% of the Black or African American ethnicity.
- White, 56.3%
- Hispanic or Latino, 20.2%
- Black or African American, 15.7%
- Unknown, 4.4%
- Asian, 2.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
Forklift Driver Race
| Forklift Driver Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 56.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.2% |
| Black or African American | 15.7% |
| Unknown | 4.4% |
| Asian | 2.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.9% |
Forklift Driver Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among forklift drivers.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Forklift Driver Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 61.03% | 15.92% | 2.43% | 18.05% |
| 2011 | 59.76% | 15.87% | 2.40% | 19.54% |
| 2012 | 60.42% | 15.61% | 2.33% | 19.07% |
| 2013 | 60.04% | 15.31% | 2.51% | 19.43% |
| 2014 | 59.96% | 15.14% | 2.76% | 19.26% |
| 2015 | 61.42% | 13.86% | 2.39% | 19.69% |
| 2016 | 58.86% | 16.71% | 2.29% | 19.50% |
| 2017 | 60.41% | 14.67% | 2.47% | 19.76% |
| 2018 | 58.91% | 15.35% | 2.91% | 19.86% |
| 2019 | 61.85% | 13.98% | 2.55% | 18.63% |
| 2020 | 56.64% | 16.00% | 2.82% | 19.06% |
| 2021 | 56.28% | 15.69% | 2.53% | 20.25% |
Forklift Driver Wage Gap By Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $33,733 |
| White | $33,708 |
| Black or African American | $32,888 |
| Asian | $34,521 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $33,581 |
Forklift Driver JOBS
Average Age of a Forklift Driver
We determined the average age of forklift drivers based on ethnicity and gender.
Forklift Driver Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 44 | 37 |
| Unknown | 40 | 44 |
| Asian | 42.5 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 42 | 42 |
| White | 45 | 49.5 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 34 |
Forklift Driver Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of forklift driver employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of forklift drivers is 40+ years old, which represents 60% of the population.
Forklift Driver Age
| Forklift Driver Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 60% |
| 30-40 years | 24% |
| 20-30 years | 17% |
Types of Forklift Driver Degree Levels
The most common degree for forklift drivers is high school diploma 61% of forklift drivers earn that degree. A close second is diploma with 14% and rounding it off is associate degree with 12%.
- High School Diploma, 61%
- Diploma, 14%
- Associate, 12%
- Bachelors, 7%
- Other Degrees, 6%
Forklift Drivers By Education
| Forklift Driver Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 61% |
| Diploma | 14% |
| Associate | 12% |
| Bachelors | 7% |
| Other Degrees | 6% |
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Forklift Driver Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $33,763 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $33,697 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $34,483 |
Forklift Driver Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where forklift drivers work. We found most forklift drivers work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most forklift drivers is the manufacturing industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire forklift drivers.
Forklift Driver Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 3% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 7% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 10% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 5% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 29% |
| > 10,000 employees | 45% |
The Types Of Companies Forklift Driver Work In
Employees with the forklift driver job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most forklift drivers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Forklift Driver Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 40% |
| Private | 59% |
| Government | 0% |
Top Industries Hiring Forklift Drivers
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ forklift drivers. Those industries include manufacturing, transportation and retail.
Forklift Driver Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 19% |
| Fortune 500 | 19% |
| Transportation | 15% |
| Retail | 15% |
| Professional | 11% |
| Automotive | 4% |
| Hospitality | 2% |
| Finance | 2% |
| Construction | 2% |
| Health Care | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Agriculture | 2% |
| Pharmaceutical | 1% |
| Media | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Energy | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
Forklift Driver Turnover And Employment Statistics
Forklift Driver Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of forklift drivers changed.
- Unemployment rate
Forklift Driver Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Forklift Driver Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 17.04% |
| 2011 | 14.60% |
| 2012 | 12.67% |
| 2013 | 10.05% |
| 2014 | 9.10% |
| 2015 | 6.72% |
| 2016 | 6.89% |
| 2017 | 5.99% |
| 2018 | 5.33% |
| 2019 | 4.81% |
| 2020 | 7.22% |
| 2021 | 6.71% |
The Average Number of Years That Forklift Driver Stay in a Job
By looking over 42,542 forklift drivers resumes, we figured out that the average forklift driver enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 33%.
Forklift Driver Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 32% |
| 1-2 years | 33% |
| 3-4 years | 12% |
| 5-7 years | 12% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 6% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Forklift Drivers with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to forklift drivers.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Coke Crane Operator | 1.94% | 26,203 |
| Forklift Driver | 3.85% | - |
| Solid Waste Collector | 4.13% | 4,034 |
| Screen Cleaner | 4.59% | 36,210 |
| Stager | 4.67% | 15,844 |
| Box Order Person | 6.68% | 46,678 |
| Packing Machine Can Feeder | 10.43% | 31,425 |
Forklift Driver LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Coke Crane Operator | 1.94% | 26,203 |
| Solid Waste Collector | 4.13% | 4,034 |
| Screen Cleaner | 4.59% | 36,210 |
| Stager | 4.67% | 15,844 |
| Box Order Person | 6.68% | 46,678 |
| Packing Machine Can Feeder | 10.43% | 31,425 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Forklift Drivers
The most common foreign language among forklift drivers is Spanish at 86.2%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 3.1% and Arabic is the third-most popular at 1.4%.
- Spanish, 86.2%
- French, 3.1%
- Arabic, 1.4%
- Portuguese, 1.2%
- Carrier, 1.2%
- Other, 6.9%
Forklift Driver Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 86.2% |
| French | 3.1% |
| Arabic | 1.4% |
| Portuguese | 1.2% |
| Carrier | 1.2% |
| Other | 6.9% |
Forklift Driver Jobs
Recently Added Forklift Driver Jobs
Forklift Driver Heatmaps
The amount you can make as a forklift driver can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of forklift drivers is $39,593. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where Do Forklift Drivers Earn The Most?
Forklift drivers earn the most in Alaska, where the average forklift driver salary is $43,069. The map here shows where forklift drivers earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Which State Has The Most Forklift Drivers?
By looking through more than 42,542 resumes, we found that the most popular places for forklift drivers are Memphis, TN and Houston, TX.
Number Of Forklift Driver Jobs By State
Where Are Forklift Drivers In High Demand?
Forklift drivers are in high demand in Fort Worth, TX. There are currently 20 job openings for forklift drivers here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country forklift drivers are in the most demand.
Forklift Driver Demographics FAQs
What Percentage Of Forklift Drivers Are Female?
11.3% of forklift drivers are female in the United States. This is -1.1 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female forklift drivers has decreased by -0.6 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 45,391 female forklift drivers in the U.S. and 356,302 male forklift drivers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 401,693 people with the specific job title of forklift driver and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.