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Forklift operator and receiver salary
Average forklift operator and receiver salary
$16.09
Average Forklift Operator and Receiver Salary
The average salary for Forklift Operators and Receivers in the United States is $33,463 annually or approximately $16 per hour. These figures can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific industries.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions may start at around $28,000, while experienced operators with several years in the field can earn upwards of $40,000. Greater experience often correlates with increased responsibility and efficiency, leading to higher wages.
State and City Differences
Regions such as California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. Cities like Los Angeles and Chicago are known for competitive pay rates. By understanding these variables, job seekers can target their applications effectively.
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Where can a Forklift Operator And Receiver earn more?
Forklift operator and receiver salaries by experience level
Average forklift operator and receiver salary by state
The highest-paying states for forklift operators and receiver are Hawaii, Alaska, and Massachusetts. The lowest average forklift operator and receiver salary states are Georgia, Texas, and Idaho.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forklift operators and receiver
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $39,224 | $18.86 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $37,949 | $18.24 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $37,935 | $18.24 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $40,609 | $19.52 |
| 5 | Alaska | $42,050 | $20.22 |
| 6 | Utah | $38,619 | $18.57 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $36,761 | $17.67 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $35,817 | $17.22 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $44,631 | $21.46 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,563 | $17.58 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $38,103 | $18.32 |
| 12 | Nevada | $36,372 | $17.49 |
| 13 | Kentucky | $35,058 | $16.85 |
| 14 | Maine | $37,775 | $18.16 |
| 15 | Michigan | $35,054 | $16.85 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $36,977 | $17.78 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $36,933 | $17.76 |
| 18 | Oregon | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 19 | Maryland | $36,134 | $17.37 |
| 20 | Washington | $37,339 | $17.95 |
| 21 | Kansas | $34,947 | $16.80 |
| 22 | Ohio | $34,118 | $16.40 |
| 23 | New York | $38,286 | $18.41 |
| 24 | Iowa | $34,609 | $16.64 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $36,076 | $17.34 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $35,069 | $16.86 |
| 27 | Illinois | $35,707 | $17.17 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $39,329 | $18.91 |
| 29 | Delaware | $35,828 | $17.23 |
| 30 | Indiana | $32,990 | $15.86 |
| 31 | California | $35,411 | $17.02 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $32,859 | $15.80 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $33,815 | $16.26 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $34,842 | $16.75 |
| 35 | Virginia | $35,128 | $16.89 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $32,844 | $15.79 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $34,793 | $16.73 |
| 38 | Georgia | $32,617 | $15.68 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $32,972 | $15.85 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $34,238 | $16.46 |
| 41 | Missouri | $33,558 | $16.13 |
| 42 | Alabama | $32,898 | $15.82 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $32,969 | $15.85 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $32,780 | $15.76 |
| 45 | Vermont | $33,291 | $16.01 |
| 46 | Montana | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 47 | Texas | $31,699 | $15.24 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $30,253 | $14.54 |
| 49 | Idaho | $31,624 | $15.20 |
| 50 | Florida | $31,017 | $14.91 |
| 51 | Colorado | $31,181 | $14.99 |
Highest paying cities for forklift operators and receiver
The highest-paying cities for forklift operators and receiver are Holbrook, NY, Hazleton, PA, and Lakewood, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holbrook, NY | $38,426 | $18.47 |
| 2 | Hazleton, PA | $38,304 | $18.42 |
| 3 | Lakewood, WA | $37,388 | $17.98 |
| 4 | Woodburn, OR | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| 6 | Sparks, NV | $36,718 | $17.65 |
| 7 | Chandler, AZ | $36,552 | $17.57 |
| 8 | Lebanon, TN | $35,848 | $17.23 |
| 9 | Carol Stream, IL | $35,778 | $17.20 |
| 10 | Salinas, CA | $35,676 | $17.15 |
| 11 | Grand Rapids, MI | $35,009 | $16.83 |
| 12 | Olathe, KS | $34,975 | $16.81 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $33,833 | $16.27 |
| 14 | Elkhart, IN | $33,685 | $16.19 |
| 15 | Olive Branch, MS | $33,223 | $15.97 |
| 16 | Cary, NC | $33,066 | $15.90 |
| 17 | Birmingham, AL | $33,036 | $15.88 |
| 18 | Saint Cloud, MN | $32,853 | $15.79 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $32,737 | $15.74 |
| 20 | Schertz, TX | $31,721 | $15.25 |
Forklift operator and receiver salary details
A forklift operator and receiver's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forklift operator and receiver's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $33,463 | $2,789 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying forklift operator and receiver jobs
The highest paying types of forklift operators and receiver are dock worker/forklift operator, terminal operator, and mill operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Machine Operator | $29,598 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 110,258 |
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Receiver | $32,401 | $2,700 | $15.58 | 186,250 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
| Mill Operator | $39,045 | $3,254 | $18.77 | 64,574 |
Top companies hiring forklift operators and receiver now:
Which companies pay forklift operators and receiver the most?
Forklift operator and receiver salaries at Alere and Vista Outdoor are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forklift operator and receiver salary at companies like Abbott and McWane are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alere | $43,349 | $20.84 |
| 2 | Vista Outdoor | $40,027 | $19.24 |
| 3 | Abbott | $37,874 | $18.21 |
| 4 | McWane | $36,855 | $17.72 |
| 5 | Rite Aid | $36,762 | $17.67 |
| 6 | Kellogg | $36,587 | $17.59 |
| 7 | McLane | $36,377 | $17.49 |
| 8 | Kagome USA | $35,741 | $17.18 |
| 9 | UFP Industries | $35,678 | $17.15 |
| 10 | Grande Cheese | $35,616 | $17.12 |
| 11 | Big Lots | $35,589 | $17.11 |
| 12 | Polaris | $35,372 | $17.01 |
| 13 | Tyson Foods | $35,285 | $16.96 |
| 14 | Lineage Logistics | $35,180 | $16.91 |
| 15 | KIK Custom Products Inc. | $35,072 | $16.86 |
| 16 | LSC Communications | $34,913 | $16.79 |
| 17 | Reynolds Consumer Products Holdings LLC | $34,877 | $16.77 |
| 18 | Trinidad Benham Holding Company | $34,833 | $16.75 |
| 19 | Reynolds Consumer Products USA | $34,833 | $16.75 |
| 20 | Footprint | $34,833 | $16.75 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forklift Operator And Receiver salary by industry
The average forklift operator and receiver salary varies across industries:
- The average forklift operator and receiver salary in the automotive industry is $37,086, the highest of any industry.
- The average forklift operator and receiver salary in the finance industry is $35,249.
- Forklift operators and receiver in the retail industry earn an average salary of $33,741, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for forklift operators and receiver
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $37,086 | $17.83 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $35,249 | $16.95 |
| 3 | Transportation | $34,816 | $16.74 |
| 4 | Technology | $34,589 | $16.63 |
| 5 | Retail | $33,741 | $16.22 |
High paying forklift operator and receiver jobs
Forklift operator and receiver salary trends
The average forklift operator and receiver salary has risen by $6,726 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forklift operator and receiver earned $26,737 annually, but today, they earn $33,463 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for forklift operators and receiver over the last decade.
Compare forklift operator and receiver salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forklift operator and receiver salary over time
Compare forklift operator and receiver salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forklift operator and receiver salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,500 | $16.09 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $32,300 | $15.51 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $31,000 | $14.88 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $30,000 | $14.40 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $28,900 | $13.90 | +1.1% |
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