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Lift driver salary
Average lift driver salary
$16.57
Understanding Lift Driver Salaries
The lift driver role is vital in various industries, including logistics and construction, where they handle the safe transportation of goods. As of October 2025, the average salary for lift drivers stands at $34,457 per year. Factors influencing this figure include location, experience, and the specific sector of employment.
Salary Variation by Experience
Entry-level lift drivers typically earn around $30,000 annually. With experience and additional certifications, salaries can increase significantly. For instance, seasoned lift drivers may earn over $40,000, especially in high-demand areas like California and New York.
State-by-State Salary Insights
Lift drivers in states such as Alaska and Washington report higher average salaries, reflecting the local cost of living and demand for skilled labor. Conversely, states with lower costs of living may offer lower wages.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Lift drivers can enhance their earning potential by pursuing roles in supervisory positions, logistics management, or specialized driving jobs. Continuous training and certification can lead to better job prospects and higher salaries.
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Where can a Lift Driver earn more?
Lift driver salaries by experience level
Lift driver salary estimates from across the web
Average lift driver salary by state
The average lift driver salary in North Dakota, Alaska, and Minnesota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average lift driver salary states are Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for lift drivers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $35,871 | $17.25 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $39,872 | $19.17 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $37,281 | $17.92 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $42,155 | $20.27 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $34,808 | $16.73 |
| 6 | Alaska | $41,530 | $19.97 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $35,949 | $17.28 |
| 8 | Wyoming | $37,299 | $17.93 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $36,446 | $17.52 |
| 10 | Montana | $36,926 | $17.75 |
| 11 | Oregon | $36,228 | $17.42 |
| 12 | Nevada | $35,645 | $17.14 |
| 13 | Maine | $35,568 | $17.10 |
| 14 | Washington | $37,757 | $18.15 |
| 15 | Idaho | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| 16 | Illinois | $34,937 | $16.80 |
| 17 | Kansas | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| 18 | Utah | $34,471 | $16.57 |
| 19 | Indiana | $32,940 | $15.84 |
| 20 | Ohio | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| 21 | Iowa | $33,368 | $16.04 |
| 22 | Michigan | $33,536 | $16.12 |
| 23 | California | $36,208 | $17.41 |
| 24 | Colorado | $36,238 | $17.42 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $35,809 | $17.22 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| 27 | New York | $36,506 | $17.55 |
| 28 | Maryland | $34,538 | $16.60 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $31,667 | $15.22 |
| 30 | Virginia | $34,836 | $16.75 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $37,953 | $18.25 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $33,250 | $15.99 |
| 33 | Texas | $33,146 | $15.94 |
| 34 | Missouri | $32,381 | $15.57 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $30,567 | $14.70 |
| 37 | Delaware | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $33,573 | $16.14 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $33,505 | $16.11 |
| 40 | Arizona | $32,627 | $15.69 |
| 41 | Georgia | $31,335 | $15.06 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $30,776 | $14.80 |
| 43 | Vermont | $31,569 | $15.18 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $29,723 | $14.29 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $31,391 | $15.09 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $30,868 | $14.84 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $30,365 | $14.60 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $31,161 | $14.98 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $33,963 | $16.33 |
| 50 | Florida | $31,183 | $14.99 |
| 51 | Alabama | $29,127 | $14.00 |
Highest paying cities for lift drivers
The highest-paying cities for lift drivers are Shakopee, MN, Stockton, CA, and Loveland, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shakopee, MN | $39,807 | $19.14 |
| 2 | Stockton, CA | $37,253 | $17.91 |
| 3 | Loveland, CO | $36,371 | $17.49 |
| 4 | Tualatin, OR | $36,242 | $17.42 |
| 5 | Twin Falls, ID | $35,339 | $16.99 |
| 6 | Appleton, WI | $35,291 | $16.97 |
| 7 | Carol Stream, IL | $35,051 | $16.85 |
| 8 | Ogden, UT | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $33,514 | $16.11 |
| 10 | Carrollton, TX | $33,458 | $16.09 |
| 11 | Saint Louis, MO | $32,263 | $15.51 |
| 12 | Cincinnati, OH | $32,115 | $15.44 |
| 13 | Evansville, IN | $32,000 | $15.38 |
| 14 | Canton, GA | $31,632 | $15.21 |
| 15 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $30,857 | $14.84 |
| 16 | La Vergne, TN | $30,619 | $14.72 |
| 17 | Concord, NC | $30,318 | $14.58 |
| 18 | Olive Branch, MS | $30,255 | $14.55 |
Lift driver salary details
A lift driver's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lift driver's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,457 | $2,871 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying lift driver jobs
The highest paying types of lift drivers are loader/driver, lift truck operator, and material handler/forklift operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Warehouse Machine Operator | $33,796 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 229,051 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Driver/Material Handler | $36,219 | $3,018 | $17.41 | 198,718 |
Top companies hiring lift drivers now:
Which companies pay lift drivers the most?
Lift driver salaries at Clearwater Paper and Valmont Industries are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lift driver salary at companies like Pactiv and Eaton are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearwater Paper | $46,234 | $22.23 |
| 2 | Valmont Industries | $43,651 | $20.99 |
| 3 | Pactiv | $41,253 | $19.83 |
| 4 | Eaton | $39,858 | $19.16 |
| 5 | International Paper | $39,424 | $18.95 |
| 6 | HP Hood | $39,252 | $18.87 |
| 7 | BJ's Wholesale Club | $38,217 | $18.37 |
| 8 | WestRock | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| 9 | Graphic Packaging International | $37,717 | $18.13 |
| 10 | Green Mountain Coffee Roasters | $36,989 | $17.78 |
| 11 | Ingram Micro | $36,637 | $17.61 |
| 12 | Williams Sonoma | $36,339 | $17.47 |
| 13 | Rockwater Energy Solutions | $35,775 | $17.20 |
| 14 | Quad | $35,454 | $17.05 |
| 15 | Walmart | $35,166 | $16.91 |
| 16 | BLG LOGISTICS | $34,904 | $16.78 |
| 17 | Sheridan | $34,897 | $16.78 |
| 18 | LME | $34,755 | $16.71 |
| 19 | Snelling | $34,368 | $16.52 |
| 20 | Penguin Random House | $34,362 | $16.52 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lift Driver salary by industry
The average lift driver salary varies across industries:
- The average lift driver salary in the automotive industry is $38,145, the highest of any industry.
- The average lift driver salary in the finance industry is $37,824.
- Lift drivers in the retail industry earn an average salary of $35,451, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for lift drivers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $38,145 | $18.34 |
| 2 | Energy | $37,824 | $18.18 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $37,482 | $18.02 |
| 4 | Transportation | $35,947 | $17.28 |
| 5 | Retail | $35,451 | $17.04 |
High paying lift driver jobs
Lift driver salary trends
The average lift driver salary has risen by $6,926 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lift driver earned $27,531 annually, but today, they earn $34,457 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for lift drivers over the last decade.
Compare lift driver salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lift driver salary over time
Compare lift driver salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Lift driver salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,500 | $16.57 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $33,200 | $15.97 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $31,900 | $15.33 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $30,900 | $14.83 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $29,800 | $14.32 | +1.1% |
Recently added lift driver salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly Weds Foods | Weekend Fork Lift Driver | Broadview, IL | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Express Medical Transporters, Inc. | Wheelchair/Paralift Drivers Needed NOW! ST. Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Express Medical Transporters | Wheelchair/Paralift Drivers Needed NOW! ST. Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Sam's Lift Driver | Buckeye, AZ | 06/25/2025 | $47,166 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Sam's Lift Driver | Edwardsville, IL | 06/22/2025 | $45,914 |
| Must | Drive, Lift, Dominate-Drivers Wanted | Tualatin, OR | 06/22/2025 | $41,740 |
| Fmtkreate | Night Shift Lift Driver | Findlay, OH | 06/20/2025 | $44,871 |
| Walmart | (USA) Sam's Lift Driver | Sanger, TX | 06/19/2025 | $42,157 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Sam's Lift Driver | Jacksonville, FL | 06/17/2025 | $43,410 |
| Eckert Cold Storage Parent | Warehouse Lift Driver | Escalon, CA | 06/17/2025 | $44,766 |
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