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Pallet jack operator salary
Average pallet jack operator salary
$16.39
Understanding the Salary of a Pallet Jack Operator
The average salary for a pallet jack operator in the United States is approximately $34,098 per year or $16.39 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience level, and the specific industry. For instance, operators in states like California and New York often earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level operators may start at around $30,000 annually, while those with several years of experience can expect salaries exceeding $40,000. Additionally, positions in specialized sectors, such as logistics or manufacturing, may offer enhanced pay due to increased responsibilities.
Salary Insights by State
Understanding how salaries differ by state can help prospective operators choose their job location wisely. Top-paying states include Washington, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, where operators earn above the national average. Use this information to guide your career path effectively.
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Where can a Pallet Jack Operator earn more?
Pallet jack operator salaries by experience level
Pallet jack operator salary estimates from across the web
Average pallet jack operator salary by state
The average pallet jack operator salary in Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pallet jack operator salary states are Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pallet jack operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $37,695 | $18.12 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $37,644 | $18.10 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $36,394 | $17.50 |
| 4 | Utah | $37,785 | $18.17 |
| 5 | Alaska | $38,565 | $18.54 |
| 6 | Ohio | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $36,438 | $17.52 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $34,769 | $16.72 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $36,643 | $17.62 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $37,591 | $18.07 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $36,625 | $17.61 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $36,076 | $17.34 |
| 13 | Maine | $36,951 | $17.76 |
| 14 | Michigan | $34,606 | $16.64 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $37,859 | $18.20 |
| 16 | Nevada | $35,105 | $16.88 |
| 17 | Iowa | $34,306 | $16.49 |
| 18 | Kansas | $34,665 | $16.67 |
| 19 | Arizona | $34,841 | $16.75 |
| 20 | Oregon | $35,953 | $17.29 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $38,512 | $18.52 |
| 22 | Oklahoma | $35,525 | $17.08 |
| 23 | Colorado | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| 24 | Washington | $36,067 | $17.34 |
| 25 | Maryland | $35,451 | $17.04 |
| 26 | Indiana | $32,752 | $15.75 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $32,856 | $15.80 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $32,764 | $15.75 |
| 29 | Illinois | $34,265 | $16.47 |
| 30 | California | $35,288 | $16.97 |
| 31 | Delaware | $34,826 | $16.74 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $32,962 | $15.85 |
| 33 | Missouri | $33,297 | $16.01 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $34,142 | $16.41 |
| 35 | New York | $35,084 | $16.87 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $33,687 | $16.20 |
| 37 | Georgia | $32,412 | $15.58 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $32,712 | $15.73 |
| 39 | Virginia | $34,536 | $16.60 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| 41 | Alabama | $32,596 | $15.67 |
| 42 | Vermont | $32,537 | $15.64 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $32,416 | $15.58 |
| 44 | Montana | $33,344 | $16.03 |
| 45 | Texas | $32,498 | $15.62 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $30,861 | $14.84 |
| 47 | Connecticut | $33,357 | $16.04 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $31,264 | $15.03 |
| 49 | Florida | $32,186 | $15.47 |
| 50 | Idaho | $30,844 | $14.83 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $30,083 | $14.46 |
Highest paying cities for pallet jack operators
The highest-paying cities for pallet jack operators are Denver, CO, Westfield, MA, and Elizabeth, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $36,982 | $17.78 |
| 2 | Westfield, MA | $36,271 | $17.44 |
| 3 | Elizabeth, NJ | $36,163 | $17.39 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $35,687 | $17.16 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | $35,495 | $17.06 |
| 6 | Fresno, CA | $35,443 | $17.04 |
| 7 | Brentwood, NY | $35,081 | $16.87 |
| 8 | Bethlehem, PA | $34,932 | $16.79 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,871 | $16.76 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $34,330 | $16.50 |
| 11 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,283 | $16.00 |
| 12 | Springdale, AR | $33,231 | $15.98 |
| 13 | Florence, KY | $33,141 | $15.93 |
| 14 | Mount Juliet, TN | $32,945 | $15.84 |
| 15 | Grand Prairie, TX | $32,585 | $15.67 |
| 16 | Duluth, GA | $32,522 | $15.64 |
| 17 | Jacksonville, FL | $32,442 | $15.60 |
| 18 | Olive Branch, MS | $31,243 | $15.02 |
Pallet jack operator salary details
A pallet jack operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pallet jack operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $34,098 | $2,842 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying pallet jack operator jobs
The highest paying types of pallet jack operators are mechanical spreader operator, terminal operator, and mill operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Lift Driver | $34,457 | $2,871 | $16.57 | 72,334 |
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Forklift Driver | $33,476 | $2,790 | $16.09 | 116,516 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
Top companies hiring pallet jack operators now:
Which companies pay pallet jack operators the most?
Pallet jack operator salaries at Cargill and BJ's Wholesale Club are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average pallet jack operator salary at companies like C&S; Wholesale Grocers and Medline are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cargill | $39,395 | $18.94 |
| 2 | BJ's Wholesale Club | $37,474 | $18.02 |
| 3 | C&S Wholesale Grocers | $37,148 | $17.86 |
| 4 | Medline | $36,795 | $17.69 |
| 5 | Sysco | $36,792 | $17.69 |
| 6 | Carter's | $36,532 | $17.56 |
| 7 | Sonoco | $36,458 | $17.53 |
| 8 | B&H Photo Video | $35,838 | $17.23 |
| 9 | Hollingsworth | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| 10 | 3D Corporate Solutions | $35,507 | $17.07 |
| 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 |
| 15 | Ryder System | $35,339 | $16.99 |
| 16 | Kane Logistics | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 17 | J Polep Distribution Services | $34,929 | $16.79 |
| 18 | Geodis Wilson USA Inc | $34,909 | $16.78 |
| 19 | Hormel Foods | $34,875 | $16.77 |
| 20 | Petco Holdings, Inc. | $34,805 | $16.73 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pallet Jack Operator salary by industry
The average pallet jack operator salary varies across industries:
- The average pallet jack operator salary in the manufacturing industry is $36,680, the highest of any industry.
- The average pallet jack operator salary in the finance industry is $35,982.
- Pallet jack operators in the agriculture industry earn an average salary of $30,388, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for pallet jack operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| 2 | Energy | $35,982 | $17.30 |
| 3 | Hospitality | $35,847 | $17.23 |
| 4 | Transportation | $35,843 | $17.23 |
| 5 | Retail | $35,794 | $17.21 |
| 6 | Agriculture | $30,388 | $14.61 |
High paying pallet jack operator jobs
Pallet jack operator salary trends
The average pallet jack operator salary has risen by $6,854 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pallet jack operator earned $27,244 annually, but today, they earn $34,098 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for pallet jack operators over the last decade.
Compare pallet jack operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pallet jack operator salary over time
Compare pallet jack operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pallet jack operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,100 | $16.39 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $32,900 | $15.80 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $31,500 | $15.17 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $30,500 | $14.68 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $29,500 | $14.17 | +1.1% |
Recently added pallet jack operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miter Brands | Loader/Pallet Jack Operator | Temecula, CA | 06/26/2025 | $44,871 |
| Petco Animal Supplies Inc. | Electric Pallet Jack-Voice Picking (M-F 4AM PM) | Mira Loma, CA | 06/26/2025 | $43,827 |
| Wayne Farms | Pallet Jack Operator-1St. Shift | Union Springs, AL | 06/25/2025 | $38,610 |
| Nextaff | Double Electric Pallet Jack Operator | Stone Mountain, GA | 06/24/2025 | $33,392 |
| Ajinomoto Frozen Foods | Electric Pallet Jack Operator | Portland, OR | 06/20/2025 | $35,479 |
| Aerotek | Electric Pallet Jack Operator | Downe, NJ | 06/18/2025 | $36,523 |
| Lineage Logistics | Case Picker-Electric Pallet Jack Operator (Forklift Experience Required)-6AM or 9AM Start Time | Riverside, CA | 06/11/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hirelevel | Electric Pallet Jack Operator | Saint Louis, MO | 06/09/2025 | $36,731 |
| Staffmark Group | Pallet Jack Operator | Alexandria, LA | 06/04/2025 | $27,131 |
| Hamilton Connections | Pallet Jack Operator | Westfield, MA | 06/04/2025 | $37,566 |
Pallet jack operator salary FAQs
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