Q: Do forklift operators make good money?

No, forklift operators do not make good money. The lowest-paid forklift operators are only paid around $19,000 a year, while the highest only reach about $35,000 in total annual salary, both of which are well below the average salary across all jobs in the United States.

Q: Is forklift operator an easy job?

Yes, forklift operator is an easy job. All a person needs to become a forklift operator is a high school diploma or equivalent and some specialized training in operating forklifts. Forklifts are classified as heavy equipment. While they do not move fast, they can lift enormous amounts of weight and do a lot of damage in the process if they are not used correctly.

Q: Is forklift training hard?

No, forklift training is not hard. A person interested in becoming a forklift operator can take the forklift training from a vocational school or community college that offers such a course.

Q: Do forklift drivers make good money?

No, forklift drivers do not make good money. The national average salary for a forklift driver is only $28,000 a year. This equals about $14 an hour. The lowest-paid forklift drivers are only paid $19,000 a year, while the highest-paid forklift drivers only reach about $35,000 in total annual salary. This is well below the average salary across all jobs in the United States.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Forklift Operator?

Accepted Answer

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a forklift operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific forklift operator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 2

Do forklift operators make good money?

Accepted Answer

No, forklift operators do not make good money. The lowest-paid forklift operators are only paid around $19,000 a year, while the highest only reach about $35,000 in total annual salary, both of which are well below the average salary across all jobs in the United States.

Question 3

Is a forklift operator a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a forklift operator can be a good job for the right person. While many might consider the job a drag, the right individual will find it a great job that fits their skills, interests, and aptitude.

Question 4

Is forklift operator an easy job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, forklift operator is an easy job. All a person needs to become a forklift operator is a high school diploma or equivalent and some specialized training in operating forklifts.

Forklifts are classified as heavy equipment. While they do not move fast, they can lift enormous amounts of weight and do a lot of damage in the process if they are not used correctly.

Question 5

Is forklift training hard?

Accepted Answer

No, forklift training is not hard. A person interested in becoming a forklift operator can take the forklift training from a vocational school or community college that offers such a course.

Question 6

What is a good starting salary for a Forklift Operator?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a forklift operator is $28,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a forklift operator in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for forklift operators is $33,726, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a forklift operator can vary by state.

Question 7

Do forklift drivers make good money?

Accepted Answer

No, forklift drivers do not make good money. The national average salary for a forklift driver is only $28,000 a year. This equals about $14 an hour.

The lowest-paid forklift drivers are only paid $19,000 a year, while the highest-paid forklift drivers only reach about $35,000 in total annual salary. This is well below the average salary across all jobs in the United States.

Question 8

What is the highest-paid forklift operator?

Accepted Answer

A forklift supervisor is the highest-paid forklift operator. Forklift supervisors typically make around double what forklift operators make, with an average salary of about $60,000 a year.

Question 9

Can a forklift operator make 100k?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot make $100,000 per year as a forklift operator. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for a forklift operator is $33,726. Even forklift operators in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $39,000 per year.

Question 10

How long is forklift training?

Accepted Answer

The duration of forklift training typically ranges from one to two days, depending on the complexity of the equipment and the operator's prior experience. The duration of forklift training is influenced by several factors, as the length is dependent on each specific situation, but it typically takes around 6 to 8 hours, over a few days.

Question 11

How much for a forklift license?

Accepted Answer

How much a forklift license costs can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of training program, the location of the training, and whether the training is conducted in-person or online.

Question 12

How much is a forklift license?

Accepted Answer

A forklift license can cost between $50 and $200, but it could be more or less depending on the training provider and the type of certification required (e.g., forklift operator, trainer, or inspector).

Question 13

How to get a forklift certification for free

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to get forklift certification for free is to have your employer or future employer pay for the exam fees. The certification exam must be paid for; you cannot get it for free, so someone must pay for it. It can be free for you if your employer pays, but this is often highly unlikely.

Question 14

What is a forklift certification?

Accepted Answer

Forklift certification is certification through an OSHA-certified program that ensures that you are capable of operating a forklift. Forklift certification is required to be able to operate a forklift, so completing certification is extremely important if this is part of your career plan.

Question 15

What percentage of Forklift Operators are female?

Accepted Answer

10.5% of forklift operators are female in the United States. This is -1.1 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female forklift operators has decreased by -0.6 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 164,287 female forklift operators in the U.S. and 1,400,352 male forklift operators in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 1,564,639 people with the specific job title of forklift operator and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 16

How do you describe a forklift operator job on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You describe a forklift operator's job on a resume by identifying and quantifying specific responsibilities. There are numerous duties that are performed by operators, which should be tangibly explained in your resume.

Question 17

What are the duties of a forklift operator?

Accepted Answer

The duties of a forklift operator require both skill with machinery as well as organizational responsibilities. Operators are often responsible for many aspects of company shipping and inventory storage.

Question 18

What should I put on my resume for a forklift operator job?

Accepted Answer

You should put your past experiences and the positive impact that they had on your resume for a forklift operator job. Experienced operators should provide tangible evidence of the positive impact of their work.

Question 19

What skills do forklift operators need?

Accepted Answer

Forklift operators need skills that are related to both machine operation and other warehouse responsibilities. There are a variety of different types of forklifts and various warehouse tasks for operators with different skills and experience.

Frequently asked questions about forklift operators

Questions about becoming a forklift operator