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Job outlook for machine operator/forklift operators in the United States
Machine operator/forklift operator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected machine operator/forklift operator job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 56,900 new jobs for machine operator/forklift operators are projected over the next decade.
Machine operator/forklift operator salaries have increased 16% for machine operator/forklift operators in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,000,042 machine operator/forklift operators currently employed in the United States.
There are 120,073 active machine operator/forklift operator job openings in the US.
The average machine operator/forklift operator salary is $32,452.
Are machine operator/forklift operator jobs in demand?
Machine operator/forklift operator job and salary trends over time
Machine operator/forklift operator jobs over time
Machine operator/forklift operator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,000,042 | 0.30% |
| 2020 | 909,377 | 0.27% |
| 2019 | 922,563 | 0.28% |
| 2018 | 911,250 | 0.27% |
| 2017 | 875,411 | 0.27% |
Average machine operator/forklift operator salary over time
Machine operator/forklift operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,452 | $15.60 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $31,277 | $15.04 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $30,024 | $14.43 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $29,056 | $13.97 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $28,045 | $13.48 | +1.2% |
Machine operator/forklift operator jobs by state
Most common states for machine operator/forklift operators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 277 | 21% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,381 | 20% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,025 | 18% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 126 | 18% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,132 | 17% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 960 | 17% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 502 | 16% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 156 | 15% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 108 | 15% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,407 | 13% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 256 | 13% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,507 | 12% |
| 13 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,452 | 12% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,061 | 12% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 340 | 12% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,362 | 11% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,158 | 11% |
| 18 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 772 | 11% |
| 19 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 506 | 11% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 66 | 11% |
Most common cities for machine operator/forklift operators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anderson | 1 | 4% | $26,666 |
| 2 | Lawrenceville | 1 | 3% | $26,561 |
| 3 | Liberty | 1 | 3% | $30,080 |
| 4 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $32,638 |
| 5 | Hanford | 1 | 2% | $33,723 |
| 6 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $30,694 |
| 7 | Greeley | 1 | 1% | $30,934 |
| 8 | Marysville | 1 | 1% | $36,220 |
| 9 | Renton | 1 | 1% | $36,214 |
| 10 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $30,813 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $33,589 |
| 12 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $25,327 |
| 13 | Madison | 1 | 0% | $31,625 |
| 14 | Mesa | 1 | 0% | $30,338 |