Forklift Technician Education Requirements And Courses

Forklift technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, forklift technicians don't need a college education. The most common degree for forklift technicians is high school diploma with 36% graduates, with only 29% forklift technician graduates earning associate degree. Forklift technicians who decided to graduate from college often finish University of North Texas or Arizona State University. Some good skills to have in this position include troubleshoot, preventative maintenance and safety procedures.

What education do you need to become a forklift technician?

What degree do you need to be a forklift technician?

The most common degree for forklift technicians is high school diploma, with 36% of forklift technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 29% and associate degree degree at 17%.

High School Diploma, 36%

Associate, 29%

Diploma, 17%

Bachelor's, 8%

Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a forklift technician?

You should major in automotive technology to become a forklift technician. 41% of forklift technicians major in automotive technology. Other common majors for a forklift technician include industrial technology and general studies.

Automotive Technology, 41%

Industrial Technology, 7%

General Studies, 6%

Business, 6%

Other Majors, 40%

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Automotive Technology	41.4%
2	Industrial Technology	7.5%
3	General Studies	6.3%
4	Business	5.7%
5	Electrical Engineering Technology	5.2%

Rank

Major

Percentages

Automotive Technology

41.4%

Industrial Technology

7.5%

General Studies

6.3%

Business

5.7%

Electrical Engineering Technology

5.2%

20 best online courses for forklift technicians

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1. Batteries and Electric Vehicles

Batteries and Electric Vehicles: This course will focus on aspects of battery performance in zero emission vehicles, EV charger networks and second life applications of EV batteries, and standards and regulatory requirements...

2. Lithium Battery Technology for Electric Vehicle - Advanced

4.4

(471)

Electric Vehicle Batteries Selection Sizing Methods Battery Management BMS Pack Design Battery Testing Methods...

3. Electric Vehicle Battery Management System - Course

4.2

(398)

Battery management system battery design & modelling Electric vehicle Lithium ion battery management Simulation...

4. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

4.4

(302)

Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

5. Learn to Repair & Troubleshoot Electronics

4.2

(395)

Learn how to identify, troubleshoot and repair electronic components...

6. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics

4.5

(555)

This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...

7. Electric Vehicle Technology - A Beginner's Course

4.3

(3,094)

Electric Vehicle Tech & Components Motors Battery management system Charging technology Electric Vehicle testing...

8. Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Motor Components - Basics

4.3

(425)

ELECTRIC VEHICLE BASICS LITHIUM ION BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CHARGING TECHNOLOGY MOTOR EV COMPONENT BMS JOB...

9. Mastering Advanced Battery Management for Electric Vehicle

(602)

ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DESIGN EV LITHIUM ION BMS SELECTION COMPONT SIZING JOB COMM...

10. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

11. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

4.6

(374)

Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

12. Electric Vehicles Comprehensive Course

4.1

(285)

Electric vehicles, Electric vehicle, Battery management system, EV, Battery cars, EV course, Electric vehicle batteries...

13. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

4.2

(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

14. Electric Vehicle Crash Course

(321)

EV Projects & Prototype Development...

15. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

4.3

(377)

A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

16. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

(533)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

17. Start Improving Customer Service

4.8

(2,040)

Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...

18. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

4.6

(960)

Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

19. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

4.7

(18,204)

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

20. Electrical Power Equipment

4.6

(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

Average forklift technician salary by education level

According to our data, forklift technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $46,128 annually. Forklift technicians with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $44,779.

Forklift technician education level	Forklift technician salary
High School Diploma or Less	$44,113
Bachelor's Degree	$46,128
Some College/ Associate Degree	$44,779