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High lift operator salary
Average high lift operator salary
$16.58
Average High Lift Operator Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a high lift operator in the United States is estimated at $34,481 per year, or around $17 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific industry demands. For instance, high lift operators in states like California and New York often report higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level high lift operators can expect to earn around $30,000 annually, while those with several years of experience may see salaries exceeding $40,000. Additionally, specialized roles, such as those in hazardous environments or requiring advanced certifications, tend to offer higher compensation.
Career Opportunities
The job outlook for high lift operators remains positive, with various opportunities across sectors like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Many companies are seeking skilled operators who can ensure safety and efficiency in their operations. Understanding these factors can help you make informed career decisions and potentially increase your earning potential.
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Where can a High Lift Operator earn more?
High lift operator salaries by experience level
High lift operator salary estimates from across the web
Average high lift operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for high lift operators are North Dakota, New York, and Ohio. The lowest average high lift operator salary states are Louisiana, Florida, and Vermont.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for high lift operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | $39,973 | $19.22 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $41,122 | $19.77 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $39,001 | $18.75 |
| 4 | Alaska | $38,234 | $18.38 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $36,939 | $17.76 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $36,785 | $17.69 |
| 7 | Illinois | $38,401 | $18.46 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $38,192 | $18.36 |
| 9 | Indiana | $36,411 | $17.51 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $37,307 | $17.94 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $39,333 | $18.91 |
| 12 | Colorado | $39,305 | $18.90 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $39,368 | $18.93 |
| 14 | Iowa | $35,642 | $17.14 |
| 15 | New York | $40,603 | $19.52 |
| 16 | Arizona | $37,089 | $17.83 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $37,301 | $17.93 |
| 19 | Nevada | $35,859 | $17.24 |
| 20 | Maryland | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $35,592 | $17.11 |
| 22 | Utah | $34,819 | $16.74 |
| 23 | Missouri | $35,335 | $16.99 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $33,149 | $15.94 |
| 25 | California | $36,266 | $17.44 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $33,659 | $16.18 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $35,472 | $17.05 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $35,215 | $16.93 |
| 30 | Georgia | $34,074 | $16.38 |
| 31 | Maine | $34,915 | $16.79 |
| 32 | Delaware | $35,584 | $17.11 |
| 33 | Virginia | $36,208 | $17.41 |
| 34 | Michigan | $34,373 | $16.53 |
| 35 | Montana | $35,095 | $16.87 |
| 36 | Washington | $35,309 | $16.98 |
| 37 | Idaho | $34,091 | $16.39 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $33,291 | $16.01 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $33,329 | $16.02 |
| 40 | Connecticut | $35,294 | $16.97 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $34,418 | $16.55 |
| 42 | Texas | $33,379 | $16.05 |
| 43 | Oregon | $34,759 | $16.71 |
| 44 | Kansas | $32,883 | $15.81 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $32,997 | $15.86 |
| 46 | Vermont | $31,916 | $15.34 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $32,728 | $15.73 |
| 48 | Florida | $32,478 | $15.61 |
| 49 | Alabama | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $29,240 | $14.06 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $31,295 | $15.05 |
Highest paying cities for high lift operators
The highest-paying cities for high lift operators are Cleveland, OH, Easton, PA, and San Bernardino, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $40,443 | $19.44 |
| 2 | Easton, PA | $37,138 | $17.85 |
| 3 | San Bernardino, CA | $36,062 | $17.34 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $35,357 | $17.00 |
| 5 | Fort Worth, TX | $33,135 | $15.93 |
| 6 | Wichita, KS | $32,778 | $15.76 |
High lift operator salary details
A high lift operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a high lift 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 | $34,481 | $2,873 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying high lift operator jobs
The highest paying types of high lift operators are dock worker/forklift operator, mechanical spreader operator, and terminal operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Machine Operator | $33,796 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 229,051 |
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | $42,262 | $3,522 | $20.32 | 60,297 |
| Lift Driver | $34,457 | $2,871 | $16.57 | 72,334 |
| Cherry Picker Operator | $33,956 | $2,830 | $16.32 | 105,023 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
Top companies hiring high lift operators now:
Which companies pay high lift operators the most?
High lift operator salaries at United Natural Foods and O-I Glass are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average high lift operator salary at companies like Tyson Foods and DHL are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Natural Foods | $40,356 | $19.40 |
| 2 | O-I Glass | $38,967 | $18.73 |
| 3 | Tyson Foods | $37,479 | $18.02 |
| 4 | DHL | $33,619 | $16.16 |
| 5 | acloch | $33,548 | $16.13 |
| 6 | Dollar Tree | $33,438 | $16.08 |
| 7 | Fanatics | $33,136 | $15.93 |
| 8 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $32,665 | $15.70 |
| 9 | Four Seasons Produce | $30,453 | $14.64 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
High Lift Operator salary by industry
The average high lift operator salary varies across industries:
- The average high lift operator salary in the construction industry is $39,420, the highest of any industry.
- The average high lift operator salary in the finance industry is $36,214.
- High lift operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $34,307, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for high lift operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $36,214 | $17.41 |
| 3 | Transportation | $34,317 | $16.50 |
| 4 | Retail | $34,307 | $16.49 |
High paying high lift operator jobs
High lift operator salary trends
The average high lift operator salary has risen by $6,931 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average high lift operator earned $27,550 annually, but today, they earn $34,481 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for high lift operators over the last decade.
Compare high lift operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average high lift operator salary over time
Compare high lift operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
High lift operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,500 | $16.58 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $33,200 | $15.98 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $31,900 | $15.34 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $30,900 | $14.84 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $29,800 | $14.33 | +1.1% |
Recently added high lift operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyson Foods | High Lift OPR A Shift | Edwardsville, KS | 06/23/2025 | $49,253 |
| DHL (Deutsche Post | High Lift Equipment Operator | Fort Worth, TX | 05/25/2025 | $42,470 |
| DHL (Deutsche Post | Group Coordinator Lead-High Lift Equip Operator | Wichita, KS | 05/24/2025 | $39,653 |
| Q&A Cleaning Solutions | Scissor Lift, High Cleaning March Baton Rouge LA | Baton Rouge, LA | 03/11/2025 | $32,609 |
| Do It Best Corp | High Reach Lift Operator | Lexington, SC | 02/16/2025 | $35,479 |
| DHL (Deutsche Post | High Lift Equipment Operator | Fort Worth, TX | 02/08/2025 | $42,470 |
| DHL (Deutsche Post | High Lift Equipment Operator | Fort Worth, TX | 01/24/2025 | $42,470 |
| Uplift Education | Permanent Substitute: Uplift North Hills High) | Nome, TX | 12/13/2024 | $41,323 |
| Wti Division | Reach/High Lift Operator | Cleveland, OH | 10/23/2024 | $43,827 |
| Uplift Education | Permanent Substitute: Uplift North Hills High) | Nome, TX | 10/12/2024 | $41,323 |
High lift operator salary FAQs
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