How to hire a Pallet Jack Operator

How to hire a pallet jack operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pallet jack operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a pallet jack operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a pallet jack operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a pallet jack operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pallet jack operators.

   Type Of Pallet Jack Operator	Description	Hourly Rate
   Pallet Jack 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	$13-19
   Forklift	The primary job of a forklift operator is to operate and manage forklifts used for moving, locating, relocating, stacking, and counting merchandise in various settings, such as construction sites and warehouses. As a forklift operator, you will unload shipments properly and safely, and stack and store them in their designated areas... Show More	$12-18
   Lift Driver	A lift driver is responsible for operating warehouse machines and vehicles, especially on loading and unloading items from distribution trucks and transporting the merchandise to different parts of the warehouse. Lift drivers inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machines, ensuring its operational and optimal performance to avoid production delays... Show More	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Pallets
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Safety Regulations
   • RF Scanner
   • Basic Math
   • Warehouse Environment
   • Selector
   • Load Trucks
   • Hand Trucks
   • Customer Orders
   • Empty Pallets
   • Inventory Control
   • Quality Standards
   • Assembly Line

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
   • Promote to pallet jack operator for re-hang area
   • Operate pallet jack move material through facility and perform routine maintenance on equipment
   • Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards.
   • Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards by reporting quality variances.

   More Pallet Jack Operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pallet jack operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator in Georgia may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level pallet jack operator usually earns less than a senior-level pallet jack operator. Additionally, a pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator salary

   $16.39hourly

   $34,098 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level pallet jack operator salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated May 16, 2025

   Average pallet jack operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Colorado	$36,982	$18
   2	Massachusetts	$36,271	$17
   3	New Jersey	$36,163	$17
   4	Ohio	$35,687	$17
   5	Oklahoma	$35,495	$17
   6	California	$35,443	$17
   7	New York	$35,081	$17
   8	Pennsylvania	$34,932	$17
   9	Arizona	$34,871	$17
   10	Illinois	$34,330	$17
   11	Missouri	$33,283	$16
   12	Arkansas	$33,231	$16
   13	Kentucky	$33,141	$16
   14	Tennessee	$32,945	$16
   15	Texas	$32,585	$16
   16	Georgia	$32,522	$16
   17	Florida	$32,442	$16
   18	Mississippi	$31,243	$15

   Average pallet jack operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Cargill	$39,395	$18.94	35
   2	BJ's Wholesale Club	$37,474	$18.02	49
   3	C&S Wholesale Grocers	$37,148	$17.86	25
   4	Medline	$36,795	$17.69	21
   5	Sysco	$36,792	$17.69	68
   6	Carter's	$36,532	$17.56	1
   7	Sonoco	$36,458	$17.53	23
   8	B&H Photo Video	$35,838	$17.23
   9	Hollingsworth	$35,620	$17.13
   10	3D Corporate Solutions	$35,507	$17.07	3
   11	Jobandtalent	$35,451	$17.04
   12	Coastal Holding Corporation	$35,451	$17.04
   13	Wayne Farms Enterprise	$35,451	$17.04
   14	IH Services	$35,416	$17.03	1
   15	Ryder System	$35,339	$16.99	332
   16	Kane Logistics	$34,990	$16.82	47
   17	J Polep Distribution Services	$34,929	$16.79	1
   18	Geodis Wilson USA Inc	$34,909	$16.78	18
   19	Hormel Foods	$34,875	$16.77	23
   20	Petco Holdings, Inc.	$34,805	$16.73	6

4. Writing a Pallet Jack Operator Job Description

   A pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator job description:

   Pallet Jack Operator job description example

   We're hiring: EPJ Operators and Forklift Operators!
   Pay : $18.50 - 20.00 depending on shift, position, and experience!

   $150 sign-on bonus + $150 referral bonus

   9am - 3pm
   Every other Tuesday
   
   October 25
   November 8
   November 22

   3610 South Airport Way
   Stockton, CA 95206

   Exceptional Company! Competitive Pay! And Great People, Too.

   Are you ready to join a great company committed to safety, offering competitive pay and the opportunity to advance your skills and experienc e? Then get to know ProLogistix! We have an immediate opening for an experienced warehouse associate who can thrive in a fast-paced warehouse environment. Don’t miss this opportunity!

   So, what do you say? Are you ready to join the team? Apply Now, and you'll see why 9 out of 10 employees give ProLogistix two thumbs up for being a great company to work with.

   "ProLogistix is constantly providing opportunities for good, reliable work!" - Jayquann, ProLogisitx Associate

   We Require Our Customers to Offer:

   • Safe and clean work environment
   • Employee focused workplace
   • Safety programs and training

   As a Warehouse Associate We Offer You:

   • Competitive pay
   • Paid weekly (Direct Deposit or ATM Debit Card available)
   • Access to health benefits and retirement plan
   • A personal recruiter to help with job searches and assistance when at work!
   • FREE ONLINE skills training

   Job Requirements:

   • 3-6 months experience required for most positions

   Working for ProLogistix

   If you’re looking for a job in logistics, warehousing or distribution, ProLogistix is the company for you! We’re part of the nation’s largest industrial staffing company with 30 years in business. Meaning we have hundreds of open jobs with top employers nationwide. A company that treats you like family, we’re committed to providing equal opportunities to all and ensuring you have a healthy and safe work environment, fair pay and the tools to succeed and grow. This includes a personal recruiter assigned to you, FREE online training for associates who complete 80 work hours, on-time pay and other benefits.

   #plxindeed #plxzip

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find pallet jack operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting pallet jack 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 pallet jack operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect pallet jack 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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