How do you learn forklift driving?

You learn forklift driving by becoming certified to drive a forklift. Certification involves several days to a week of classroom study, hands-on training, and the passing of an exam. You can earn your forklift certification by taking an Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) approved forklift course either in person or online. Most choose in-person courses given at vocational schools or ones at a local company.

Forklift Operator Education Requirements And Courses

Forklift operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, forklift operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for forklift operators is high school diploma with 59% graduates, with only 15% forklift operator graduates earning diploma. Forklift operators who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Central State University. Some good skills to have in this position include pallets, basic math and electric pallet jack.

Popular forklift operator certifications include Forklift Safety and Inspector, Commercial Driver License (CDL), or OSHA Safety Certificate . To improve forklift operator qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in forklift operator education paths.

What education do you need to become a forklift operator?

What degree do you need to be a forklift operator?

The most common degree for forklift operators is high school diploma, with 59% of forklift operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are diploma degree at 15% and diploma degree at 13%.

High School Diploma, 59%

Diploma, 15%

Associate, 13%

Bachelor's, 7%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a forklift operator?

You should major in business to become a forklift operator. 24% of forklift operators major in business. Other common majors for a forklift operator include general studies and criminal justice.

Business, 24%

General Studies, 15%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Automotive Technology, 6%

Other Majors, 46%

Best majors for forklift operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	23.6%
2	General Studies	15.2%
3	Criminal Justice	8.7%
4	Automotive Technology	6.4%
5	Computer Science	5.2%

Show more common forklift operator majors

20 best online courses for forklift operators

Advertising disclosure

1. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

4.6

(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

2. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

3. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

4.7

(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

4. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

5. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

4.6

(601)

Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...

6. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

4.5

(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

7. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

4.5

(3,822)

Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

8. Customer Service

4.6

(11,267)

How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

9. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

4.5

(3,956)

Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

10. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!

4.7

(12,891)

Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...

11. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)

4.5

(10,168)

For you and your team to be successful in providing great customer service, start by putting your customer first...

12. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

13. Customer Service Training: Dealing with Difficult Customers

4.5

(1,035)

Learn how to deal with difficult customers Master customer relationship management Gain conflict management skills...

14. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

4.5

(4,101)

Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...

15. Customer Service: Keep 'em coming back!

4.5

(3,150)

How to give the best customer service in your industry and keep those customers raving about your business...

16. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module

4.4

(960)

Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...

17. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

4.5

(2,276)

3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

18. Data Entry Skills: A Complete Data Entry Course from Scratch

4.7

(533)

A Complete Guide to Data Entry Skills: Learn Data Entry Skills and become a Data Entry Pro & Get a Online Data Entry Job...

19. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

20. Customer Retention: Maximise Your Profits

4.6

(481)

How CRM, Customer Care, Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and Customer Experience will 10X your profits...

Average forklift operator salary by education level

Forklift operators with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $35,190 annually. With a High School Diploma degree, forklift operators earn a median annual income of $34,492 compared to $34,428 for forklift operators with an Bachelor's degree.

Forklift operator education level	Forklift operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$34,492
Bachelor's Degree	$34,428
Some College/ Associate Degree	$35,190