Best cities for a forklift operator
The best cities for forklift operators are Toledo, OH, Fort Wayne, IN, and North Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for forklift operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for forklift operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a forklift operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for forklift operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for forklift operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a forklift operator. While the absolute best city for forklift operators is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for forklift operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a forklift operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for forklift operators in 2025
1. Toledo, OH
Forklift operator jobs in ToledoTotal forklift operator jobs: 31 Average annual salary: $35,327 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 2.46 2. Fort Wayne, IN
Forklift operator jobs in Fort WayneTotal forklift operator jobs: 59 Average annual salary: $35,092 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 3.58 3. North Las Vegas, NV
Forklift operator jobs in North Las VegasTotal forklift operator jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $37,575 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 9.05 4. Reno, NV
Forklift operator jobs in RenoTotal forklift operator jobs: 86 Average annual salary: $38,609 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $48,000 Location quotient: 4.04 5. Memphis, TN
Forklift operator jobs in MemphisTotal forklift operator jobs: 198 Average annual salary: $31,317 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Location quotient: 3.54 6. Milwaukee, WI
Forklift operator jobs in MilwaukeeTotal forklift operator jobs: 128 Average annual salary: $36,730 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 2.29 7. Wichita, KS
Forklift operator jobs in WichitaTotal forklift operator jobs: 77 Average annual salary: $33,810 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 3.20 8. Columbus, OH
Forklift operator jobs in ColumbusTotal forklift operator jobs: 243 Average annual salary: $34,187 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 1.93 9. Kansas City, MO
Forklift operator jobs in Kansas CityTotal forklift operator jobs: 220 Average annual salary: $34,064 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 3.66 10. Indianapolis, IN
Forklift operator jobs in IndianapolisTotal forklift operator jobs: 204 Average annual salary: $34,221 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 1.83
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Best cities for forklift operators
- Toledo, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Memphis, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Wichita, KS
- Columbus, OH
- Kansas City, MO
- Indianapolis, IN
Detailed list of the best cities for a forklift operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, OH | $35,327 | $28,000 | 278,508 | 31 |
| 2 | Fort Wayne, IN | $35,092 | $28,000 | 264,488 | 59 |
| 3 | North Las Vegas, NV | $37,575 | $30,000 | 238,702 | 28 |
| 4 | Reno, NV | $38,609 | $30,000 | 245,255 | 86 |
| 5 | Memphis, TN | $31,317 | $25,000 | 652,717 | 198 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,730 | $29,000 | 595,047 | 128 |
| 7 | Wichita, KS | $33,810 | $27,000 | 389,902 | 77 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $34,187 | $27,000 | 860,090 | 243 |
| 9 | Kansas City, MO | $34,064 | $27,000 | 481,420 | 220 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $34,221 | $27,000 | 855,164 | 204 |
| 11 | Louisville, KY | $32,882 | $26,000 | 597,337 | 108 |
| 12 | Greensboro, NC | $31,350 | $25,000 | 287,027 | 90 |
| 13 | Nashville, TN | $31,426 | $25,000 | 660,388 | 118 |
| 14 | Fort Worth, TX | $31,410 | $25,000 | 854,113 | 220 |
| 15 | Garland, TX | $31,406 | $25,000 | 234,943 | 29 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $31,864 | $25,000 | 683,080 | 53 |
| 17 | Henderson, NV | $37,502 | $30,000 | 292,969 | 12 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $33,534 | $27,000 | 446,970 | 98 |
| 19 | Cincinnati, OH | $33,630 | $27,000 | 298,800 | 77 |
| 20 | Arlington, TX | $31,403 | $25,000 | 392,772 | 63 |
| 21 | Aurora, CO | $36,070 | $29,000 | 361,710 | 147 |
| 22 | Oklahoma City, OK | $31,770 | $26,000 | 638,367 | 135 |
| 23 | Lexington, KY | $32,865 | $26,000 | 318,449 | 25 |
| 24 | Winston-Salem, NC | $31,357 | $25,000 | 242,203 | 30 |
| 25 | Lubbock, TX | $31,569 | $25,000 | 252,506 | 21 |
| 26 | Portland, OR | $36,752 | $29,000 | 639,863 | 194 |
| 27 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,103 | $31,000 | 413,651 | 132 |
| 28 | Saint Paul, MN | $39,100 | $31,000 | 302,398 | 67 |
| 29 | Madison, WI | $36,618 | $29,000 | 252,551 | 47 |
| 30 | New Orleans, LA | $34,092 | $27,000 | 391,495 | 26 |
| 31 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,069 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | 225 |
| 32 | Laredo, TX | $31,251 | $24,000 | 257,156 | 22 |
| 33 | Charlotte, NC | $31,125 | $25,000 | 842,051 | 223 |
| 34 | Las Vegas, NV | $37,605 | $30,000 | 632,912 | 38 |
| 35 | Cleveland, OH | $35,378 | $28,000 | 385,809 | 10 |
| 36 | San Antonio, TX | $31,332 | $25,000 | 1,492,510 | 148 |
| 37 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,916 | $27,000 | 311,404 | 80 |
| 38 | Tulsa, OK | $31,844 | $26,000 | 403,090 | 28 |
| 39 | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,768 | $28,000 | 303,625 | 36 |
| 40 | Stockton, CA | $36,002 | $28,000 | 307,072 | 56 |
| 41 | Hialeah, FL | $31,554 | $25,000 | 236,387 | 10 |
| 42 | Anchorage, AK | $39,257 | $32,000 | 298,192 | 10 |
| 43 | Philadelphia, PA | $34,876 | $28,000 | 1,567,872 | 43 |
| 44 | Glendale, AZ | $33,083 | $26,000 | 245,895 | 7 |
| 45 | Jacksonville, FL | $32,168 | $26,000 | 880,619 | 197 |
| 46 | Detroit, MI | $34,320 | $27,000 | 672,795 | 24 |
| 47 | Fresno, CA | $35,791 | $28,000 | 522,053 | 60 |
| 48 | Dallas, TX | $31,401 | $25,000 | 1,317,929 | 187 |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $31,710 | $25,000 | 559,277 | 31 |
| 50 | Lincoln, NE | $33,347 | $27,000 | 280,364 | 12 |
Highest paying cities for forklift operators
| Rank | City | Avg. forklift operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,103 |
| 2 | Tacoma, WA | $37,524 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $36,752 |
| 4 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,730 |
| 5 | Salt Lake City, UT | $36,515 |
| 6 | Lancaster, NY | $36,279 |
| 7 | Richmond, CA | $36,103 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $36,093 |
| 9 | Portland, ME | $35,609 |
| 10 | Allentown, PA | $35,208 |
| 11 | Aurora, IL | $35,075 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $35,033 |
| 13 | Plainfield, NJ | $34,987 |
| 14 | Richmond, IN | $34,338 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $34,187 |
| 16 | Kansas City, KS | $34,096 |
| 17 | Kansas City, MO | $34,064 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $33,534 |
| 19 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,069 |
| 20 | Richmond, VA | $32,974 |
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Updated January 8, 2025