Become A Forklift Operator
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Forklift Operator
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Stressful
$26,000
Average Salary
What Does A Forklift Operator Do
How To Become A Forklift Operator
Education and training requirements vary by the occupation. Crane operators and excavating machine operators usually have several years of experience in related occupations, such as construction equipment operators or hoist or winch operators.
EducationAlthough no formal education is usually required, some companies prefer material moving machine operators to have a high school diploma. For crane operators, excavating machine operators, and dredge operators, however, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
TrainingMost material moving machine operators are trained on the job in less than a month. Some machines are more complex than others, such as cranes as compared with industrial trucks such as forklifts. Therefore, the amount of time spent in training will vary with the type of machine the operator is using. Learning to operate a forklift or an industrial truck in warehouses, for example, may take only a few days. Training to operate a crane for port operations may take several months. Most workers are trained by a supervisor or another experienced employee.
The International Union of Operating Engineers offers apprenticeship programs for heavy equipment operators, such as excavating machine operators or crane operators. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction.
During their training, material moving machine operators learn a number of safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive further specialized training.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsA number of states and several cities require crane operators to be licensed. To get a license, operators typically must complete a skills test in which they show that they can control a crane. They also must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of safety rules and procedures. Some crane operators and industrial truck and tractor operators may obtain certification, which includes passing a written exam.
Work Experience in a Related OccupationCrane operators and excavating machine operators usually have several years of experience working as construction equipment operators or hoist and winch operators.
Important QualitiesAlertness. Material moving machine operators must be aware of their surroundings while operating machinery.
Hand–eye–foot coordination. Material moving machine operators should have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely. They use hand controls to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
Mechanical skills. Material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance.
Visual ability. Material moving machine operators must be able to clearly see where they are driving or what they are moving. They must also watch for nearby workers, who may unknowingly be in their path.
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Forklift Operator jobs
Forklift Operator Career Paths
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Relief Operator 3.9 years
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Fork Truck Operator 3.7 years
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Machine Operator/Forklift Operator 3.4 years
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Lead Forklift Operator 3.3 years
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Certified Forklift Operator 3.2 years
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Forklift Operator 3.0 years
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Lift Truck Operator 3.0 years
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Forklift Operator And Receiver 2.9 years
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Production Forklift Operator 2.9 years
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Forklift Truck Operator 2.7 years
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Material Handler/Forklift Operator 2.6 years
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Forklift Driver 2.6 years
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Lift Operator 2.4 years
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Clamp Operator 2.0 years
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Machine Operator 13.9%
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Material Handler 11.0%
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Warehouse Worker 8.0%
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Cashier 6.1%
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Sales Associate 5.4%
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Warehouse Associate 5.2%
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Delivery Driver 4.3%
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Cook 4.3%
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Order Selector 4.3%
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Forklift Driver 4.3%
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Driver 4.2%
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Assistant Manager 3.4%
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Truck Driver 3.1%
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Production Worker 3.0%
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Supervisor 3.0%
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Operator 3.0%
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Security Officer 2.9%
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Crew Member 2.8%
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Machine Operator 13.6%
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Material Handler 12.5%
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Driver 6.6%
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Warehouse Worker 6.6%
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Delivery Driver 6.1%
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Warehouse Associate 5.0%
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Truck Driver 4.9%
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Order Selector 4.6%
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Operator 4.2%
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Forklift Driver 3.7%
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Welder 3.5%
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Technician 3.3%
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Security Officer 3.2%
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Sales Associate 3.1%
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Production Worker 3.0%
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Supervisor 2.9%
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Equipment Operator 2.9%
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Cook 2.8%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Forklift Operator
Top Careers After Forklift Operator
Forklift Operator Demographics
Gender
-
Male
88.1% -
Female
10.3% -
Unknown
1.6%
Ethnicity
-
White
78.7% -
Hispanic or Latino
13.3% -
Asian
6.1% -
Unknown
1.4% -
Black or African American
0.5%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
80.1% -
French
4.8% -
Carrier
4.1% -
German
1.9% -
Arabic
1.8% -
Portuguese
1.2% -
Polish
1.1% -
Japanese
0.7% -
Hindi
0.6% -
Russian
0.6% -
Italian
0.5% -
Samoan
0.4% -
Urdu
0.4% -
Hmong
0.3% -
Ukrainian
0.3% -
Dari
0.3% -
Kurdish
0.3% -
Dakota
0.3% -
Greek
0.3% -
Swedish
0.2%
Forklift Operator
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Forklift Operator Education
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University of Phoenix
17.7% -
Houston Community College
5.7% -
Kaplan University
5.6% -
Ashford University
5.5% -
Hinds Community College
5.3% -
Greenville Technical College
5.1% -
Southwest Tennessee Community College
5.0% -
Universal Technical Institute
4.6% -
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
4.4% -
Sinclair Community College
4.2% -
Joliet Junior College
4.1% -
Kirkwood Community College
4.0% -
Delgado Community College
3.9% -
Albany Technical College
3.7% -
Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg
3.7% -
Strayer University
3.7% -
The Academy
3.5% -
College of DuPage
3.5% -
American InterContinental University
3.5% -
Remington College
3.3% -
Business 23.8%
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General Studies 10.2%
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Criminal Justice 8.9%
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-
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Computer Science 5.3%
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-
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Accounting 3.5%
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Education 3.2%
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-
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Graphic Design 2.7%
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Communication 2.5%
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Psychology 2.4%
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-
Management 2.3%
-
-
-
Liberal Arts 2.1%
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Other
53.7% -
Associate
17.8% -
Bachelors
12.9% -
Certificate
9.9% -
Diploma
3.8% -
Masters
1.3% -
License
0.6% -
Doctorate
0.1%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Forklift Operator
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Forklift Operator Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift Operator | BMC West Corporation | Indio, CA | Apr 07, 2016 | $33,162 |
| Forklift Operator | LMS Intellibound Inc. | Amarillo, TX | May 29, 2008 | $32,448 |
| Forklift Operator | LMS Intellibound Inc. | Amarillo, TX | May 05, 2008 | $32,448 |
| Forklift Operator | LMS Intellibound Inc. | CA | Mar 12, 2008 | $32,448 |
| Forklift Operator | ABC Resources, Incorporated | Ontario, CA | Aug 12, 2010 | $27,569 |
| Forklift Operator | Maxey Trailers Mfg Inc. | TX | Oct 22, 2015 | $24,000 |
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Top Skills for A Forklift Operator
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Top Forklift Operator Skills
- Electric Pallet Jack
- Forklift Operation
- Safety Procedures
- Maneuver pallet on an electric pallet jack until full or order is complete.
- general forklift operation * food preparation * cleaning
- Structured and maintained a neat and clean work environment, while ensuring safety procedures were followed.
- Pick up unload trucks from shipping take to right location also pick up loose or broken pellets.
- Operated propane forklift with scale to unload/load freight, rf scanner, id receive/ship freight.
Top Forklift Operator Employers
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Forklift Operator Videos
Forklift Operator Safety Training (Spanish)
Forklift Operator Safety Training
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