How to hire a lift truck operator

How to hire a lift truck operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lift truck operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lift truck operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lift truck operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lift truck operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The lift truck operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lift truck operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of lift truck operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lift Truck Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Lift Truck Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$13-22
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18
   Forklift Driver	A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Safety Procedures
   • Load Trailers
   • AS400
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Forks
   • Basic Math
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Quality Standards
   • Safety Policies
   • Load Trucks
   • RF Scanner
   • Safety Rules
   • Customer Orders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
   • Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
   • Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
   • Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
   • Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
   • Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

   More lift truck operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lift truck operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lift truck operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a lift truck operator in Oklahoma may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level lift truck operator usually earns less than a senior-level lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average lift truck operator salary

   $36,973yearly

   $17.78 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lift truck operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average lift truck operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$42,342	$20
   2	Massachusetts	$41,883	$20
   3	Washington	$40,651	$20
   4	Illinois	$38,944	$19
   5	Colorado	$38,777	$19
   6	Missouri	$38,504	$19
   7	Pennsylvania	$38,358	$18
   8	California	$38,269	$18
   9	Arizona	$37,630	$18
   10	Virginia	$37,590	$18
   11	Kansas	$37,503	$18
   12	Ohio	$35,840	$17
   13	North Carolina	$33,631	$16
   14	Texas	$32,713	$16
   15	South Carolina	$30,859	$15
   16	Georgia	$30,412	$15

   Average lift truck operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Nestlé	$46,243	$22.23	55
   2	Cemex	$44,048	$21.18	27
   3	Morton Buildings	$43,586	$20.95	5
   4	McKee Foods	$42,850	$20.60
   5	Post Holdings	$42,822	$20.59	22
   6	Lamb Weston	$42,731	$20.54	18
   7	Constellation Brands	$42,662	$20.51
   8	General Mills	$42,424	$20.40	3
   9	Nor-Cal Beverage Co.	$42,136	$20.26
   10	Shaw Industries	$42,068	$20.23	20
   11	Ring Power Cat	$41,718	$20.06	11
   12	VF	$41,606	$20.00
   13	Rosboro	$41,176	$19.80
   14	International Paper	$41,172	$19.79	55
   15	Mohawk Industries	$40,652	$19.54	28
   16	Timberland	$40,104	$19.28
   17	Graphic Packaging International	$39,704	$19.09	43
   18	Weyerhaeuser International, Inc	$39,601	$19.04	9
   19	Kingspan Group	$39,396	$18.94
   20	WestRock	$39,213	$18.85	35

4. Writing a lift truck operator job description

   A lift truck operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a lift truck operator job description:

   Lift truck operator job description example

   Are you looking for more?
   
   At Mohawk Industries, we're committed to more - more customer solutions, more process improvements, more sustainable manufacturing and more opportunities for our team.
   
   As a Fortune 500, global flooring leader with some of the best-known brands in the industry, Mohawk is a great place to start or develop your career with an emphasis on more of what's important to you. Whether you want to lead more, innovate more, learn more or create more, you can find your more with Mohawk.
   
   Lift Truck Operator III
   
   Find your more with Mohawk
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Perform pre-operational safety checks and complete a vehicle inspection report before operating equipment.
   * Recharge the lift truck battery or replace/refuel the gas tank.
   * Unload goods from storage areas, bin locations, or trailers.
   * Understand and follow instructions given by the onboard RF unit. Correctly operate the hand-held scanning device.
   * Manually load/unload pad or other material not designed to be handled by forks or pole.
   * Must be receptive to all training related to the lift truck operator position or any cross training deemed necessary by supervision.
   * Any other tasks assigned by management.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   * High school diploma or GED equivalency required.
   * Reads and writes in standard English and proficient in performing basic math calculations such as addition and subtraction.
   * Successful completion of all required on the job training.
   * Successful completion of all required health and environmental safety training.
   * Ability to lift 80 pounds frequently during shift.
   * Prior experience in a warehouse or as a general laborer preferred.
   
   EOE Minorities/Females/Disabled/Protected Veterans
   
   Mohawk Industries is a leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Daltile, Durkan, IVC, Karastan, Marazzi, Mohawk, Mohawk Home, Pergo, and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world's largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.
   
   Mohawk Industries, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veteran committed to an inclusive workplace and a proud Drugs Don't Work participant.
   
   Nearest Major Market: Atlanta

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lift truck operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lift truck operator job on Zippia to find and recruit lift truck operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting lift truck operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lift truck operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect lift truck operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new lift truck operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a lift truck operator?