How To Become A Material Handler/Forklift Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a material handler/forklift operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

When we speak of material handling, the image of a forklift appears but its connection in the past did not seem as obvious. Its demand was manifested during the industrial revolution when machine intensive manufacturing processes sparked a motivation to create a device for hoisting materials over short distances.

During the first world war, a large number of working males volunteering for the military caused a shortage in manpower. As a result, a company called Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries invented lift trucks to transport and lift loads to increase work productivity. At the same time, this catapulted the invention of standardized pallets, a flat structure increasing storage and transport efficiencies also prompting the redesigning towards a fork-style lift truck. It was not until the second world war that forklifts were mass adopted as they were used for loading war supplies, such as ammunition and food to vehicles.

With the rise of e-commerce and a boom in creative production, warehouses and Giga factories are becoming commonplace for material handlers to thrive in. The primary role of a material handler is to load, unload, and move products across these facilities. They are also involved in sorting freight, managing inventory using scanners, and handling outbound and inbound logistic processes. Employers require a high school diploma or G.E.D, and material handlers get paid, on average, $13.50 per hour.

ScoreMaterial Handler/Forklift OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $36,453

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.3

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 2.35%

Black or African American 16.32%

Hispanic or Latino 18.15%

Unknown 4.32%

White 58.05%

Gender

female 10.87%

male 89.13%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a material handler/forklift operator

Explore material handler/forklift operator education requirements

Most common material handler/forklift operator degrees

High School Diploma

58.9 %

Diploma

15.1 %

Associate

13.1 %

Start to develop specific material handler/forklift operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Pallets	18.66%
Safety Procedures	9.59%
Electric Pallet Jack	9.55%
Forklift Operation	6.81%
RF Scanner	6.16%

Complete relevant material handler/forklift operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New material handler/forklift operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a material handler/forklift operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real material handler/forklift operator resumes.

Research material handler/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Prepare your material handler/forklift operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your material handler/forklift operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a material handler/forklift operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable material handler/forklift operator resume templates

Build a professional material handler/forklift operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your material handler/forklift operator resume.

Apply for material handler/forklift operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a material handler/forklift operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average material handler/forklift operator salary

The average material handler/forklift operator salary in the United States is $36,453 per year or $18 per hour. Material handler/forklift operator salaries range between $29,000 and $45,000 per year.

Average material handler/forklift operator salary

$36,453 Yearly

$17.53 hourly

How do material handler/forklift operators rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Material handler/forklift operator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022

Pros

It saves time and makes work easier and enhance greater output

Cons

To be surcharge when there's a damage on goods through accident

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019

Pros

Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to.

Cons

Not being able to learn where every part goes to. For instance parts that go to a furnace, train, or a converter.

What is a material handler/forklift operator and how to become one

Material handler/forklift operator career paths

Key steps to become a material handler/forklift operator

Explore material handler/forklift operator education requirements

Most common material handler/forklift operator degrees

Start to develop specific material handler/forklift operator skills

Complete relevant material handler/forklift operator training and internships

Research material handler/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your material handler/forklift operator resume

Choose from 10+ customizable material handler/forklift operator resume templates

Apply for material handler/forklift operator jobs

How did you land your first material handler/forklift operator job

Average material handler/forklift operator salary

How do material handler/forklift operators rate their job?

Material handler/forklift operator reviews

Material handler/forklift operator jobs by state