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Production forklift operator salary
Average production forklift operator salary
$16.5
Understanding Production Forklift Operator Salaries
The average salary for a Production Forklift Operator is around $34,322 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including experience level, state, and industry. For instance, operators with more experience typically earn higher wages. Additionally, certain states and cities offer more competitive salaries due to demand and cost of living variations. For example, cities with a higher cost of living often provide better compensation packages to attract skilled workers.
Salary by State
To maximize earning potential, it's important to consider where you work. States like California and Texas tend to offer higher salaries compared to others. Understanding regional salary differences can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
Opportunities in the Field
Production Forklift Operators can find job opportunities across various industries, including manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. Many employers seek candidates with specific certifications, which can enhance job prospects and salary potential. Overall, being informed about salary trends and regional job markets is crucial for anyone considering a career as a Production Forklift Operator.
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Where can a Production Forklift Operator earn more?
Production forklift operator salaries by experience level
Average production forklift operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for production forklift operators are Alaska, Hawaii, and North Dakota. The lowest average production forklift operator salary states are Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for production forklift operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $49,255 | $23.68 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $40,654 | $19.55 |
| 3 | Ohio | $37,562 | $18.06 |
| 4 | Oregon | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $43,587 | $20.96 |
| 8 | Maine | $38,144 | $18.34 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $37,457 | $18.01 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $46,844 | $22.52 |
| 11 | Iowa | $35,854 | $17.24 |
| 12 | Idaho | $38,796 | $18.65 |
| 13 | Utah | $36,094 | $17.35 |
| 14 | Washington | $40,954 | $19.69 |
| 15 | Nevada | $37,507 | $18.03 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $38,491 | $18.51 |
| 17 | Kansas | $34,904 | $16.78 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $36,342 | $17.47 |
| 19 | Arizona | $35,522 | $17.08 |
| 20 | Michigan | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $33,124 | $15.93 |
| 22 | Colorado | $37,307 | $17.94 |
| 23 | Montana | $36,341 | $17.47 |
| 24 | Illinois | $33,785 | $16.24 |
| 25 | Maryland | $33,624 | $16.17 |
| 26 | California | $36,442 | $17.52 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $33,947 | $16.32 |
| 28 | Missouri | $33,705 | $16.20 |
| 29 | Vermont | $32,977 | $15.85 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $30,686 | $14.75 |
| 31 | New Hampshire | $32,947 | $15.84 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $32,671 | $15.71 |
| 33 | Indiana | $30,072 | $14.46 |
| 34 | New York | $35,992 | $17.30 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $34,531 | $16.60 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $33,938 | $16.32 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $35,693 | $17.16 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $29,963 | $14.41 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $30,418 | $14.62 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $28,361 | $13.64 |
| 41 | Texas | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| 42 | Delaware | $32,811 | $15.77 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $31,649 | $15.22 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $28,551 | $13.73 |
| 46 | Florida | $29,723 | $14.29 |
| 47 | Georgia | $27,108 | $13.03 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $29,696 | $14.28 |
| 49 | Virginia | $30,258 | $14.55 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $28,822 | $13.86 |
| 51 | Alabama | $28,183 | $13.55 |
Highest paying cities for production forklift operators
The highest-paying cities for production forklift operators are Fargo, ND, Saint Cloud, MN, and Elk Grove, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $43,373 | $20.85 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud, MN | $41,337 | $19.87 |
| 3 | Elk Grove, CA | $37,811 | $18.18 |
| 4 | Lima, OH | $37,541 | $18.05 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $37,311 | $17.94 |
| 6 | Williamsport, PA | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 7 | Sioux City, IA | $36,429 | $17.51 |
| 8 | Kearny, NJ | $34,222 | $16.45 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $31,523 | $15.16 |
| 10 | Florence, KY | $31,111 | $14.96 |
| 11 | Spartanburg, SC | $30,718 | $14.77 |
| 12 | Jacksonville, FL | $30,044 | $14.44 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $29,842 | $14.35 |
| 14 | Smyrna, TN | $28,323 | $13.62 |
| 15 | Opelika, AL | $28,036 | $13.48 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $27,189 | $13.07 |
Production forklift operator salary details
A production forklift operator's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a production forklift operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $34,322 | $2,860 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying production forklift operator jobs
The highest paying types of production forklift operators are dock worker/forklift operator, mill operator, and grinder operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Loader Operator | $36,987 | $3,082 | $17.78 | 61,980 |
| Lift Truck Operator | $36,973 | $3,081 | $17.78 | 103,337 |
| Forklift Driver | $33,476 | $2,790 | $16.09 | 116,516 |
| Line Operator | $34,520 | $2,877 | $16.60 | 137,127 |
Top companies hiring production forklift operators now:
Which companies pay production forklift operators the most?
Production forklift operator salaries at Darigold and Chandon USA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average production forklift operator salary at companies like Land O'Lakes and PepsiCo are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darigold | $42,677 | $20.52 |
| 2 | Chandon USA | $42,606 | $20.48 |
| 3 | Land O'Lakes | $42,127 | $20.25 |
| 4 | PepsiCo | $42,023 | $20.20 |
| 5 | Schreiber Foods | $42,023 | $20.20 |
| 6 | Shearer's Foods | $40,795 | $19.61 |
| 7 | Johns Manville | $39,771 | $19.12 |
| 8 | American Gypsum | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| 9 | Basalite Concrete Products | $39,443 | $18.96 |
| 10 | TreeHouse Foods | $39,235 | $18.86 |
| 11 | International Paper | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| 12 | USG | $38,598 | $18.56 |
| 13 | WestRock | $38,584 | $18.55 |
| 14 | Pactiv | $38,375 | $18.45 |
| 15 | Johnson Controls | $38,372 | $18.45 |
| 16 | Toll Brothers | $38,248 | $18.39 |
| 17 | Ready Pac Foods | $37,955 | $18.25 |
| 18 | Masonite | $37,671 | $18.11 |
| 19 | Flex-N-Gate | $37,337 | $17.95 |
| 20 | Interfor | $37,138 | $17.85 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Production Forklift Operator salary by industry
The average production forklift operator salary varies across industries:
- The average production forklift operator salary in the manufacturing industry is $36,768, the highest of any industry.
- The average production forklift operator salary in the finance industry is $36,628.
- Production forklift operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $31,967, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for production forklift operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $36,768 | $17.68 |
| 2 | Automotive | $36,628 | $17.61 |
| 3 | Professional | $33,693 | $16.20 |
| 4 | Retail | $31,967 | $15.37 |
High paying production forklift operator jobs
Production forklift operator salary trends
The average production forklift operator salary has risen by $6,899 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average production forklift operator earned $27,423 annually, but today, they earn $34,322 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for production forklift operators over the last decade.
Compare production forklift operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average production forklift operator salary over time
Compare production forklift operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Production forklift operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,300 | $16.50 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $33,100 | $15.90 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $31,800 | $15.27 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $30,700 | $14.77 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $29,700 | $14.26 | +1.1% |
Recently added production forklift operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Staffing Consultants | Production Worker/Forklift Operator | Savannah, GA | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
| Manpowergroup | Production & Forklift Operator | Fort Fairfield, ME | 06/26/2025 | $49,045 |
| Lignetics, Inc. | Production Worker/Packaging & Forklift Operator-Graveyard Shift | White Pigeon, MI | 06/22/2025 | $39,653 |
| Owens Corning Inc. | Forklift-Production | Moreno Valley, CA | 06/21/2025 | $43,827 |
| Manpowergroup | Forklift Operator/Production Worker | Prattville, AL | 06/18/2025 | $33,392 |
| Amrize | Production Worker/Forklift Operator | Salt Lake City, UT | 06/14/2025 | $54,846 |
| Arthur Schuman Master | Forklift/Cheese Production | Turtle Lake, WI | 06/12/2025 | $43,827 |
| Amrize | 1St. Shift Production Forklift Operator | DeForest, WI | 06/12/2025 | $54,659 |
| Kerry Ingredients and Flavours | Forklift Operator Production | Byesville, OH | 06/04/2025 | $36,189 |
| Kerry | Forklift Operator Production | Byesville, OH | 06/03/2025 | $36,189 |
Production forklift operator salary FAQs
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