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How to hire a picker/fork lift operator

Picker/fork lift operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring picker/fork lift operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a picker/fork lift operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new picker/fork lift operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a picker/fork lift operator, step by step

To hire a picker/fork lift operator, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a picker/fork lift operator, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step picker/fork lift 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 picker/fork lift operator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new picker/fork lift operator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a picker/fork lift 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?

    A picker/fork lift operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, picker/fork lift operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of picker/fork lift operators and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Picker/Fork Lift OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Picker/Fork Lift OperatorMaterial 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
    PickerPickers are responsible for choosing the correct range of merchandise on the shelves based on the clients' orders. Pickers carefully prepare the items from the stock, ensuring that everything is free of any damage before shipping... Show more$12-17
    Lift DriverA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Fork-Lift
    • Load Trucks
    • Pallets
    • Production Schedules
    • RF Scanner
    • Store Merchandise
    • Standup
    • RF Gun
    • Scan Gun
    • Customer Orders
    • Unload Trailers
    • Quality Standards
    • Inventory Control
    • Forks
    Responsibilities:
    • Set ladders, rolling scaffolds and hoists in place.
    • Build mix pallets according to loading documentation.
    • Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway
    • Operate a fork lift and motorize pallet jack for movement of merchandise, order picking and loading and unloading of trucks.
    • Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your picker/fork lift operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A picker/fork lift operator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, picker/fork lift operators' average salary in north carolina is 30% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level picker/fork lift operators earn 30% less than senior-level picker/fork lift operators.
    • Certifications. A picker/fork lift operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a picker/fork lift operator's salary.

    Average picker/fork lift operator salary

    $16.43hourly

    $34,165 yearly

    Entry-level picker/fork lift operator salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 22, 2025
  4. Writing a picker/fork lift operator job description

    A job description for a picker/fork lift operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a picker/fork lift operator job description:

    Picker/fork lift operator job description example

    Join us and help us create lifelong readers!

    Position: Cherry Picker / Forklift Operator - Full Time- 2nd shift

    Location: Belleville, MI

    Shift Hours: 2nd Shift 3:00 PM to Midnight (flexible)

    $18.00 an hour!!

    Each year Scholastic Book Fairs, in partnership with schools across the country, hosts more than 127,000 book-sale events that give more than 35 million students and their families access to thousands of affordable and educational products, helping foster a lifelong love of reading.

    We are currently in search of Warehouse Powered Equipment Operators to support our local branch team. This full time position offers medical, dental and vision benefits, Paid Time Off, a generous 50% off discount on Scholastic merchandise, and a 401k.

    Associates with the title of Powered Equipment Operator must demonstrate proficiency and meet all productivity and quality requirements of the following duties and responsibilities:

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Operate battery-operated and/or gas-powered equipment, (other than motorized pallet jacks), for the purpose of transporting product to and from inventory storage locations within the facility. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, Forklifts, Stockpickers, Wave Work-Assist vehicles, Sit-Down and Stand-Up Counterbalanced trucks, Reach trucks, etc.
    • Must follow all power equipment rules and regulations, including any regulatory agency policies, to include OSHA.
    • Must use all personal protective safety equipment, including lanyards and harnesses to be worn at all times when operation order/stock pickers.
    • Must follow all facility safety rules and regulations at all times.
    • Demonstrate the ability to perform all scanner functions necessary for the position, including cycle-counts,replenishment, item inquiry, inventory put away, etc.
    • Ensure all product is stacked neatly and safely when moved via power equipment and when stored in rack or staging locations
    • Maintain accuracy of all inventory movement at all times.
    • Inspect and perform or assist in equipment maintenance as required; report any unsafe conditions to management.
    • Responsible for the careful handling of all merchandise, avoiding damage, bending or tearing.
    • Participate in Physical Inventory
    • Consistently meet minimum required production, accuracy or quality standards for the work performed.
    • When necessary, assist in the processing of returned book fairs, by unpacking metal cases, boxes, and displays with book and non-book product, according to corporate process and procedure and meeting productivity and quality standards.
    • When necessary, assist in the picking and packing of customer reorders
    • Ensure that your work area is neat,clean, safe, and organized at all times. Individually,and in partnership with other co-workers, perform seasonal inventory production-line resets.
    • When applicable, assist in the loading and unloading of trucks. The loading and unloading of trucks may or may not require the assistance of mechanical devices.
    • Ensure that all warehouse equipment and tools are properly utilized to increase productivity, efficiency, and safety; report any unsafe conditions, damaged equipment or injury (to self or co-worker) to your supervisor or manager immediately.
    • Utilize proper techniques for lifting, packing, and handling heavy objects.
    • Accurately and timely complete Labor Data Collection Cards to according to company standards.
    • Maintain attendance and punctuality as required by assigned work schedule and within company standards.
    • Maintain a courteous and positive relationship with all co-workers and customers. Drug and alcohol free policy compliance.
    • Any and all additional duties as assigned.


    Qualifications

    QUALIFICATIONS

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    • High School Diploma or GED Certificate preferred.
    • Must be trained and licensed to operate power equipment, candidates must have a minimum 1 year power equipment operation experience.
    • Requires satisfactory completion of a forklift training program.
    • Ability to demonstrate basic product scanner proficiency (i.e., ordering replenishment) effectively with minimal errors.
    • Strong team player and the ability to get along with co-workers.
    • Good verbal/written communication skills, basic math skills, and ability to read documents in English, such as safety rules, operating instructions and procedure manuals.
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.


    PHYSICAL DEMANDS

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    • Must be able to lift boxes that weigh up to 50 lbs occasionally on a daily basis
    • Must be able to stand, reach above and below the shoulders, squat, bend and kneel as necessary to perform the job
    • Must be able to tolerate work in a non-air conditioned environment
    • Must be able to successfully complete the training required and become certified to operate the powered industrial equipment the operator is assigned to use as well as maintain their certification on that same equipment.
    • Must be drug free and participate in and pass the initial drug screen as well as all future random drug screens.
    • Must be able to correctly wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to perform any task requiring the wearing PPE.


    Time Type:

    Full time
    Job Type:

    Regular Seasonal

    Job Family Group:

    Distrib & Matls Mgmt

    Location Region/State:

    Michigan
    EEO Statement:

    Scholastic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam veteran. Those factors shall not influence the determination of qualifications for a job or other opportunity within the company. Further, all personnel actions (such as compensation, tuition aid, benefits, transfers, promotions, and dismissals, company-sponsored training, social and recreational programs) shall be administered without discrimination.

    EEO is the Law Poster

    EEO Scholastic Policy Statement

    Pay Transparency Provision
  5. Post your job

    To find picker/fork lift operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any picker/fork lift operators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level picker/fork lift operators with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your picker/fork lift operator job on Zippia to find and recruit picker/fork lift operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting picker/fork lift 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 picker/fork lift operator

    Once you've selected the best picker/fork lift operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new picker/fork lift operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a picker/fork lift operator?

There are different types of costs for hiring picker/fork lift operators. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new picker/fork lift operator employee.

The median annual salary for picker/fork lift operators is $34,165 in the US. However, the cost of picker/fork lift operator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a picker/fork lift operator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $19 an hour.

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