How to hire a production forklift operator

How to hire a production forklift operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your production forklift operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a production forklift operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

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   A production forklift operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, production forklift 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 production forklift operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Production Forklift Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Production Forklift 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	$12-20
   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
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Line Production
   • Safety Rules
   • Pallet Jack
   • RF Scanner
   • Quality Standards
   • Assembly Line
   • Production Equipment
   • Machine Operators
   • Computer System
   • Production Schedules
   • Warehouse Environment
   • Inventory Control
   • Forks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
   • Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
   • Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
   • Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
   • Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

   More production forklift operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the production forklift operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A production forklift operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a production forklift operator in Oklahoma may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level production forklift operator. Additionally, a production forklift operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average production forklift operator salary

   $16.50hourly

   $34,322 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level production forklift operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average production forklift operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$43,373	$21
   2	Minnesota	$41,337	$20
   3	California	$37,811	$18
   4	Ohio	$37,541	$18
   5	Colorado	$37,311	$18
   6	Pennsylvania	$37,200	$18
   7	Iowa	$36,429	$18
   8	New Jersey	$34,222	$16
   9	Texas	$31,523	$15
   10	Kentucky	$31,111	$15
   11	South Carolina	$30,718	$15
   12	Florida	$30,044	$14
   13	Indiana	$29,842	$14
   14	Tennessee	$28,323	$14
   15	Alabama	$28,036	$13
   16	Georgia	$27,189	$13

   Average production forklift operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Darigold	$42,677	$20.52	13
   2	Chandon USA	$42,606	$20.48
   3	Land O'Lakes	$42,127	$20.25	69
   4	PepsiCo	$42,023	$20.20	13
   5	Schreiber Foods	$42,023	$20.20	34
   6	Shearer's Foods	$40,795	$19.61	17
   7	Johns Manville	$39,771	$19.12	10
   8	American Gypsum	$39,770	$19.12
   9	Basalite Concrete Products	$39,443	$18.96
   10	TreeHouse Foods	$39,235	$18.86	35
   11	International Paper	$39,020	$18.76	70
   12	USG	$38,598	$18.56	18
   13	WestRock	$38,584	$18.55	124
   14	Pactiv	$38,375	$18.45	70
   15	Johnson Controls	$38,372	$18.45	18
   16	Toll Brothers	$38,248	$18.39	2
   17	Ready Pac Foods	$37,955	$18.25	9
   18	Masonite	$37,671	$18.11
   19	Flex-N-Gate	$37,337	$17.95
   20	Interfor	$37,138	$17.85	5

4. Writing a production forklift operator job description

   A good production forklift operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a production forklift operator job description:

   Production forklift operator job description example

   This is a 3rd Shift job opening, 11:00pm-7:30am

   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

   • Reads product processing form or follows verbal instructions to move the correct materials to the appropriate locations and machines.

   • Loads materials into vehicles and installs required strapping, bracing, or padding to prevent product from shifting or becoming damaged in transit.

   • Enters lot tracking data into computer.

   • Compares product identification information and counts against daily pull sheets.

   • Prints labels and affixes shipping and special labels on cartons as required by customer.

   • Records shortages.

   • Assembles customer orders on pallet to meet customer needs.

   • Drives a variety of forklift trucks to move and store cartons on racks in warehouse.

   • Verifies and examines shipments for accuracy using hand-held scanner.

   • Moves product in and out of warehouse using first-in-first-out (FIFO) method.

   • Complies with safety and quality rules and policies.

   • Support department efforts to maintain a clean work area, machines, and equipment.

   • Assist machine operators as needed.

   • Perform other duties as assigned.

   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

   • 1-2+ years’ experience driving different types of forklifts required

   • Ability to work in a fast paced environment

   • Knowledge and basic computer operation ability

   • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure and compute ratios and percentages

   • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating, and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

   • Ability to complete routine production and quality reports

   • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds

   • Understanding and compliance with safety rules and regulations

   • Strong verbal and written communication skills

   Benefits:

   • 401(k)

   • 401(k) matching

   • Dental insurance

   • Employee assistance program

   • Employee discount

   • Flexible spending account

   • Health insurance

   • Health savings account

   • Life insurance

   • Paid time off

   • Parental leave

   • Professional development assistance

   • Referral program

   • Retirement plan

   • Tuition reimbursement

   • Vision insurance

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right production forklift operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting production forklift 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 production forklift operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect production forklift 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new production forklift 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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