How much does a forklift operator make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $3,868 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $3,286
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.9 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 143 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Iceland estimate | $67,770 |
| 2. Belgium estimate | $65,440 |
| 3. Switzerland estimate | $64,770 |
| 7. Australia | $46,810 |
| 8. United States | $46,420 |
| 9. Sweden estimate | $45,450 |
| 143. Nigeria estimate | $376 |
Similar jobs
Plant and machine operators and assemblers
- Farm equipment operator$47,250
- Earthmoving and related plant operators$59,120
- Crane operators$38,950
- Train driver$78,420
- Signalman$76,490
- Motorcyle courier$37,720
- Taxi driver$42,530
- Bus driver$48,860
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| District of Columbia | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $62,150 |
| Delaware | $60,350 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 |
| Alaska | $54,190 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $50,760 |
| Colorado | $50,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 |
See all 51 states
| Minnesota | $49,740 |
| North Dakota | $49,260 |
| Utah | $49,040 |
| New York | $49,030 |
| Louisiana | $48,950 |
| Florida | $48,370 |
| Arizona | $48,110 |
| Montana | $48,060 |
| California | $47,770 |
| Maine | $47,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,730 |
| Illinois | $47,720 |
| Wisconsin | $47,720 |
| Iowa | $47,590 |
| Kansas | $47,430 |
| South Dakota | $47,410 |
| Vermont | $47,380 |
| Connecticut | $47,190 |
| Virginia | $46,920 |
| Massachusetts | $46,850 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 |
| Kentucky | $46,630 |
| Idaho | $46,600 |
| Ohio | $46,450 |
| New Jersey | $46,100 |
| Indiana | $45,650 |
| Maryland | $45,630 |
| Texas | $45,450 |
| Nevada | $45,230 |
| Michigan | $45,220 |
| Missouri | $45,190 |
| Rhode Island | $45,010 |
| Alabama | $44,880 |
| Oklahoma | $44,700 |
| Arkansas | $43,780 |
| South Carolina | $43,680 |
| Mississippi | $43,420 |
| North Carolina | $43,420 |
| Georgia | $43,210 |
| Tennessee | $42,100 |
| West Virginia | $41,670 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forklift operator make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $3,868 a month, $46,420 a year.
How much does a forklift operator make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $36,840 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $62,520.
Which country pays a forklift operator the most?
Australia, with a median of $46,810 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a forklift operator the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $83,720 a year.
Does a forklift operator make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $46,420 a year against $42,270 in Germany, 1.1 times more.
Who makes more, a forklift operator or a crane operators?
A forklift operator: $46,420 a year against $38,950 for a crane operators, 1.2 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate