How Much Do Forklift Operators Make?

It’s important to know how much you can make from a job before committing yourself to one. The same goes for positions in construction, such as forklift operators. So, how hard is it to become a forklift driver, and how much does it pay?

We’ll answer these questions and more below, including what forklift drivers do, what requirements they have to meet to become one, and the necessary training.

What Do Forklift Drivers Do Day-to-Day?

Forklift drivers operate powered industrial trucks – also called lift trucks or forklifts – to move heavy materials around a facility or worksite. Common work environments include construction sites, warehouses, factories, storage facilities, and agricultural operations.

The primary duties of forklift operators revolve around transporting and organizing heavy materials with the forklift, whether that’s retrieving inventory for shipment, loading and unloading trucks, inspecting shipments for damage and completeness, and accurately accounting for sent or received items in inventory.

However, forklift drivers are also responsible for ensuring the safe operation of your forklift with tasks like daily inspections, regular maintenance, and taking the precautions necessary to avoid forklift accidents.

Is Being A Forklift Driver Hard?

It depends on your perspective.

It can be a physically demanding job and a dangerous one, too. One in six workplace deaths involves a forklift, so forklift drivers must pay close attention to potential hazards and safety regulations.

On the other hand, it’s a skill that most people can learn with practice and a little effort.

How Much Do Forklift Operators Make?

According to a review of salary aggregation sites in May 2025, average forklift driver salaries in the U.S. are in the low-to-mid $40s. Salary.com places the median annual pay at $42,762, with most forklift drivers making between $36,685 and $52,312 a year.

Forklift operators’ salaries may be influenced by a few factors: the industry they’re working in, the city or county where they operate, and their degree of experience.

Geography is the biggest differentiator – salary tends to trend with the local cost of living, but there are exceptions. Alabama, New Mexico, and Texas have the lowest average pay for forklift drivers, while Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington State have the highest.

Experience is the least important factor. According to Salary.com’s data, entry-level forklift operators make roughly the national average right away.

How Do You Become a Forklift Operator?

It’s not hard to become a forklift driver if you have the required physical abilities and motivation to learn.

What Are The Main Requirements For A Forklift Driver?

The most common requirements for forklift operators include:

• Being 18 or above: In the U.S., it’s illegal for minors to operate or interact with powered industrial trucks, though there are some exceptions for agricultural operations.
• Having a valid driver’s license: In some cases, you may need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to transport the forklift between worksites.
• Maintaining up-to-date forklift training: Otherwise known as a forklift “license”, although this label is not accurate.
• The ability to lift up to 50 pounds: As well as stand, sit, squat, and climb repeatedly during a shift.

Many employers also prefer to see a high school diploma or the equivalent on your resume, but it’s not strictly necessary.

There are no particular experience requirements for becoming a forklift driver, though employers will typically give hiring preference to candidates who already have experience operating a forklift, followed by those with experience in a similar work environment (like a warehouse) or a track record of safely operating other commercial equipment.

If you have neither, your best path may be to get an entry-level job in a workplace that relies on forklifts and prove yourself to be diligent and responsible.

What Is Forklift Training and How Do You Get It?

To comply with workplace safety laws, forklift operators need to be trained in relevant hazards and safety precautions and demonstrate mastery of the necessary hands-on skills.

Becoming a forklift driver is a two-step process. Step one is “formal instruction” in forklift safety principles, and step two is hands-on training that culminates in a performance evaluation.

First, you’ll need to complete and pass an OSHA-aligned course on forklift safety. This is typically accomplished in a classroom or with an online course – either is fine as long as it’s with an OSHA-authorized training provider like us. You’ll need to take a course that matches the type of forklift you’ll be operating and pass the final exam. Once you’ve done so, you’ll get a certificate of completion to show your employer as proof.

The next step is hands-on training, typically provided by an employer but sometimes completed through a vocational training program. The OSHA-powered industrial truck standard then requires you to demonstrate that you can safely operate a forklift to someone with “knowledge, training, and experience” to evaluate your competence.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Forklift Training?

The cost of getting forklift training will fall on your employer if you get training through your job. OSHA requires employers to bear the cost of any OSHA training necessary for safely completing their duties.

That said, online training usually costs less than vocational school, but you won’t get the hands-on training and evaluation portion. You’ll need to seek that out separately.

Get Forklift Training Online Today!

As an OSHA-authorized training provider for over 25 years, we offer online forklift training that will bring you one step closer to starting your career. You’ll discover common forklift hazards, the necessary safety precautions, and how to follow relevant OSHA standards.

We offer self-paced, mobile-friendly courses for both stand-up forklifts and sit-down forklifts, as well as a number of other types of heavy equipment.

You can start the path to becoming a forklift driver by enrolling today!