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Material handler/forklift operator salary
Average material handler/forklift operator salary
$36,453
Understanding the Salary of Material Handlers and Forklift Operators
The average annual salary for a material handler or forklift operator is $36,453, or about $18 per hour. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years of experience may earn significantly more. For instance, operators with specialized certifications can command higher wages.
Regional Salary Variations
Salary ranges vary widely across the United States. States like California and New York often offer higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. On the other hand, states with lower living costs may offer competitive salaries that reflect local economic conditions.
Job Opportunities and Growth
Material handlers and forklift operators can find employment in various sectors including manufacturing, warehousing, and retail. Companies often seek candidates with a strong work ethic and attention to safety. As logistics and e-commerce continue to expand, the demand for skilled material handlers is expected to rise, providing ample job opportunities in the coming years.
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Where can a Material Handler/Forklift Operator earn more?
Material handler/forklift operator salaries by experience level
Average material handler/forklift operator salary by state
The average material handler/forklift operator salary in North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average material handler/forklift operator salary states are Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for material handler/forklift operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $41,385 | $19.90 |
| 3 | Alaska | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $43,153 | $20.75 |
| 6 | Vermont | $43,989 | $21.15 |
| 7 | Iowa | $40,478 | $19.46 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $38,949 | $18.73 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $39,954 | $19.21 |
| 10 | Maine | $41,332 | $19.87 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $41,141 | $19.78 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $41,691 | $20.04 |
| 13 | Maryland | $42,048 | $20.22 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $39,904 | $19.18 |
| 15 | Indiana | $37,472 | $18.02 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| 17 | Nevada | $38,841 | $18.67 |
| 18 | Washington | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| 19 | Montana | $41,638 | $20.02 |
| 20 | Colorado | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| 21 | Utah | $38,942 | $18.72 |
| 22 | Kansas | $37,654 | $18.10 |
| 23 | New York | $42,326 | $20.35 |
| 24 | Illinois | $39,296 | $18.89 |
| 25 | Oregon | $40,039 | $19.25 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $41,310 | $19.86 |
| 27 | Ohio | $36,646 | $17.62 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $37,923 | $18.23 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $36,146 | $17.38 |
| 30 | Michigan | $36,798 | $17.69 |
| 31 | California | $39,002 | $18.75 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $38,744 | $18.63 |
| 33 | Idaho | $37,407 | $17.98 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $37,716 | $18.13 |
| 35 | Missouri | $37,259 | $17.91 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $33,622 | $16.16 |
| 37 | Delaware | $38,621 | $18.57 |
| 38 | Connecticut | $37,446 | $18.00 |
| 39 | Arizona | $34,449 | $16.56 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $34,307 | $16.49 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $38,411 | $18.47 |
| 42 | Georgia | $33,446 | $16.08 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $33,095 | $15.91 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $32,079 | $15.42 |
| 45 | Florida | $34,883 | $16.77 |
| 46 | Alabama | $33,844 | $16.27 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $34,082 | $16.39 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $32,791 | $15.76 |
| 49 | Virginia | $34,854 | $16.76 |
| 50 | Texas | $33,056 | $15.89 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $29,690 | $14.27 |
Highest paying cities for material handler/forklift operators
The highest-paying cities for material handler/forklift operators are Lakeville, MN, Auburn, WA, and Frederick, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeville, MN | $42,867 | $20.61 |
| 2 | Auburn, WA | $42,251 | $20.31 |
| 3 | Frederick, MD | $42,149 | $20.26 |
| 4 | Green Bay, WI | $42,102 | $20.24 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $41,940 | $20.16 |
| 6 | Wayne, NJ | $40,246 | $19.35 |
| 7 | Bartlett, IL | $39,416 | $18.95 |
| 8 | Fontana, CA | $38,272 | $18.40 |
| 9 | Lansing, MI | $36,874 | $17.73 |
| 10 | Springfield, MO | $36,252 | $17.43 |
| 11 | Tampa, FL | $34,954 | $16.80 |
| 12 | Richmond, VA | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| 13 | Winston-Salem, NC | $34,547 | $16.61 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,492 | $16.58 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,096 | $16.39 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $33,908 | $16.30 |
| 17 | Montgomery, AL | $33,784 | $16.24 |
| 18 | Knoxville, TN | $33,772 | $16.24 |
| 19 | Lawrenceville, GA | $33,541 | $16.13 |
| 20 | Horn Lake, MS | $32,368 | $15.56 |
Material Handler/Forklift Operators are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Material handler/forklift operator salary details
A material handler/forklift operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a material handler/forklift operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $36,453 | $3,038 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying material handler/forklift operator jobs
The highest paying types of material handler/forklift operators are dock worker/forklift operator, mill operator, and operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freight Handler | $35,944 | $2,995 | $17.28 | 67,422 |
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Can Handler | $32,465 | $2,705 | $15.61 | 76,003 |
| Warehouse Machine Operator | $33,796 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 229,051 |
| Package Handler | $32,785 | $2,732 | $15.76 | 93,831 |
Top companies hiring material handler/forklift operators now:
Which companies pay material handler/forklift operators the most?
Material handler/forklift operator salaries at Nestlé and Schreiber Foods are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average material handler/forklift operator salary at companies like American Woodmark and Mars are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nestlé | $43,607 | $20.96 |
| 2 | Schreiber Foods | $43,408 | $20.87 |
| 3 | American Woodmark | $42,550 | $20.46 |
| 4 | Mars | $41,764 | $20.08 |
| 5 | Clean Harbors | $41,188 | $19.80 |
| 6 | Fluor Corporation | $41,022 | $19.72 |
| 7 | GSA | $40,954 | $19.69 |
| 8 | Broadridge | $40,934 | $19.68 |
| 9 | Texas | $40,719 | $19.58 |
| 10 | Sonoco | $40,197 | $19.33 |
| 11 | Oldcastle Infrastructure | $40,051 | $19.26 |
| 12 | Woodgrain | $40,011 | $19.24 |
| 13 | Optimum Nutrition | $39,733 | $19.10 |
| 14 | Siemens | $39,585 | $19.03 |
| 15 | Lyman Lumber Company | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| 16 | Reeb | $38,882 | $18.69 |
| 17 | JTM Food Group | $38,864 | $18.68 |
| 18 | Cavco Industries | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 19 | CEVA Logistics | $38,126 | $18.33 |
| 20 | Espy Lumber | $38,121 | $18.33 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Material Handler/Forklift Operator salary by industry
The average material handler/forklift operator salary varies across industries:
- The average material handler/forklift operator salary in the automotive industry is $37,909, the highest of any industry.
- The average material handler/forklift operator salary in the finance industry is $36,165.
- Material handler/forklift operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $34,954, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for material handler/forklift operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $37,909 | $18.23 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $36,165 | $17.39 |
| 3 | Transportation | $35,923 | $17.27 |
| 4 | Retail | $34,954 | $16.80 |
High paying material handler/forklift operator jobs
Material handler/forklift operator salary trends
The average material handler/forklift operator salary has risen by $7,327 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average material handler/forklift operator earned $29,126 annually, but today, they earn $36,453 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for material handler/forklift operators over the last decade.
Compare material handler/forklift operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average material handler/forklift operator salary over time
Compare material handler/forklift operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Material handler/forklift operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,500 | $17.53 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $35,100 | $16.89 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $33,700 | $16.21 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $32,600 | $15.69 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $31,500 | $15.15 | +1.1% |
Recently added material handler/forklift operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryder System Inc. | Warehouse Forklift Operator Material Handler | West Fargo, ND | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Material Handler Forklift Operator 2Nd Shift | Lumberton, NC | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Aerotek | Forklift Operator and Material Handler | Saint Charles, IL | 06/28/2025 | $38,088 |
| Aerotek | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Manchester, NH | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Lacosta | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Rockford, IL | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Ryder | Warehouse Material Handler Forklift Operator 1St. Shift | Miami, FL | 06/27/2025 | $39,590 |
| Ryder | Forklift Operator Material Handler | DeKalb, IL | 06/27/2025 | $42,366 |
| Datrose | Forklift Operator/Material Handler | East Rochester, NY | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Walmart | (USA) Warehouse Material Handler-Dairy/Forklift Operator AM PM Saturday-Monday) | Fort Wayne, IN | 06/27/2025 | $42,366 |
| Texas Management Division | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Houston, TX | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
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