Best cities for a material handler/forklift operator
The best cities for material handler/forklift operators are Reno, NV, North Las Vegas, NV, and Milwaukee, WI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for material handler/forklift operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for material handler/forklift operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a material handler/forklift operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for material handler/forklift operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for material handler/forklift operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a material handler/forklift operator. While the absolute best city for material handler/forklift operators is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for material handler/forklift operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a material handler/forklift operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for material handler/forklift operators in 2025
1. Reno, NV
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in RenoTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $40,267 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 4.95 2. North Las Vegas, NV
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in North Las VegasTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $38,525 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 20.48 3. Milwaukee, WI
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in MilwaukeeTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $41,285 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 3.03 4. Omaha, NE
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in OmahaTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $40,447 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $50,000 Location quotient: 2.45 5. Madison, WI
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in MadisonTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $41,186 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 2.06 6. Cleveland, OH
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in ClevelandTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $37,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 1.41 7. Wichita, KS
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in WichitaTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $37,080 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 2.64 8. Tulsa, OK
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in TulsaTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $34,182 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 8.56 9. Winston-Salem, NC
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in Winston-SalemTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $34,547 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 9.22 10. Indianapolis, IN
Material handler/forklift operator jobs in IndianapolisTotal material handler/forklift operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $37,329 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.95
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Best cities for material handler/forklift operators
- Reno, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Milwaukee, WI
- Omaha, NE
- Madison, WI
- Cleveland, OH
- Wichita, KS
- Tulsa, OK
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
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Detailed list of the best cities for a material handler/forklift operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $40,267 | $30,000 | 245,255 | 5 |
| 2 | North Las Vegas, NV | $38,525 | $30,000 | 238,702 | 3 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $41,285 | $32,000 | 595,047 | 8 |
| 4 | Omaha, NE | $40,447 | $32,000 | 446,970 | 7 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $41,186 | $32,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $37,408 | $29,000 | 385,809 | 3 |
| 7 | Wichita, KS | $37,080 | $29,000 | 389,902 | 3 |
| 8 | Tulsa, OK | $34,182 | $27,000 | 403,090 | 11 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,547 | $27,000 | 242,203 | 6 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $37,329 | $29,000 | 855,164 | 5 |
| 11 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,096 | $27,000 | 638,367 | 12 |
| 12 | Saint Louis, MO | $37,407 | $29,000 | 311,404 | 10 |
| 13 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,018 | $34,000 | 413,651 | 3 |
| 14 | Kansas City, MO | $37,483 | $29,000 | 481,420 | 4 |
| 15 | El Paso, TX | $33,908 | $26,000 | 683,080 | 13 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $38,943 | $29,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 17 | Fort Wayne, IN | $38,139 | $30,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 18 | Memphis, TN | $33,419 | $26,000 | 652,717 | 6 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,565 | $30,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 20 | Toledo, OH | $37,327 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 21 | Louisville, KY | $36,252 | $28,000 | 597,337 | 3 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $38,412 | $29,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 23 | New Orleans, LA | $38,609 | $30,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 24 | Anchorage, AK | $46,550 | $39,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 25 | Tucson, AZ | $34,372 | $27,000 | 530,706 | 6 |
| 26 | Portland, OR | $40,108 | $31,000 | 639,863 | 8 |
| 27 | Charlotte, NC | $34,051 | $27,000 | 842,051 | 15 |
| 28 | Saint Paul, MN | $43,013 | $34,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 29 | Henderson, NV | $38,462 | $30,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 30 | Aurora, CO | $41,940 | $33,000 | 361,710 | 2 |
| 31 | Lincoln, NE | $40,099 | $31,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 32 | Columbus, OH | $36,324 | $28,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 33 | Nashville, TN | $33,839 | $27,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 34 | Lubbock, TX | $33,446 | $26,000 | 252,506 | 3 |
| 35 | Fort Worth, TX | $33,145 | $26,000 | 854,113 | 20 |
| 36 | Boston, MA | $43,157 | $33,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 37 | Detroit, MI | $36,807 | $28,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 38 | Denver, CO | $41,977 | $33,000 | 693,060 | 2 |
| 39 | Cincinnati, OH | $35,677 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 40 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,492 | $27,000 | 1,615,017 | 8 |
| 41 | Seattle, WA | $42,315 | $33,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 42 | Tampa, FL | $34,954 | $27,000 | 377,165 | 6 |
| 43 | Lexington, KY | $36,189 | $28,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 44 | Colorado Springs, CO | $41,512 | $33,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 45 | San Antonio, TX | $33,045 | $26,000 | 1,492,510 | 13 |
| 46 | Greensboro, NC | $34,553 | $27,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 47 | Chicago, IL | $39,375 | $31,000 | 2,704,958 | 2 |
| 48 | Durham, NC | $34,552 | $27,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 49 | Jacksonville, FL | $35,189 | $27,000 | 880,619 | 3 |
| 50 | Buffalo, NY | $42,882 | $33,000 | 256,902 | - |
Highest paying cities for material handler/forklift operators
| Rank | City | Avg. material handler/forklift operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeville, MN | $42,867 |
| 2 | Auburn, WA | $42,251 |
| 3 | Frederick, MD | $42,149 |
| 4 | Green Bay, WI | $42,102 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $41,940 |
| 6 | Wayne, NJ | $40,246 |
| 7 | Bartlett, IL | $39,416 |
| 8 | Fontana, CA | $38,272 |
| 9 | Lansing, MI | $36,874 |
| 10 | Springfield, MO | $36,252 |
| 11 | Tampa, FL | $34,954 |
| 12 | Richmond, VA | $34,790 |
| 13 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,547 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,492 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,096 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $33,908 |
| 17 | Montgomery, AL | $33,784 |
| 18 | Knoxville, TN | $33,772 |
| 19 | Lawrenceville, GA | $33,541 |
| 20 | Horn Lake, MS | $32,368 |
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Updated January 8, 2025