Transportation & Logistics career

Forklift Operator

Also called: Lift Truck Operator · Industrial Truck Operator · Reach Truck Operator · Material Handler

What forklift operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a forklift operator do?

Forklift operators use forklifts, reach trucks and other powered industrial trucks to move, stack, load and unload materials in warehouses, distribution centers, factories, lumberyards and construction sites. The median pay is $46,420 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–5 days, and employment is projected to grow +1.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $46,420
    $22.32/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +1.5%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    64,700
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–5 days
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    765,200
    Employment, 2025

What forklift operators do

Forklift operators keep inventory flowing. They unload trailers, put away pallets in racking, pull stock for orders, load outbound shipments and keep aisles clear, all while protecting pedestrians, product and equipment.

OSHA requires employers to train and evaluate every forklift operator before they operate a truck on their own and to re-evaluate them at least every three years. Training is short, so this is one of the fastest ways to raise your pay in a warehouse.

Typical duties

  • Inspect forklifts before each shift
  • Load and unload trucks and containers
  • Move materials between receiving, storage and shipping areas
  • Stack and retrieve pallets in racking
  • Scan and track inventory with RF scanners
  • Follow traffic patterns and protect pedestrians
  • Charge batteries or change propane tanks safely

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in warehouses, distribution centers, factories, cold storage, lumberyards and construction sites. The work can be noisy, cold or hot, and involves hazards such as tip-overs, collisions and falling loads.

Schedule: Full-time and part-time shifts, including nights and weekends. Overtime is common during peak seasons.

A day in the life

  1. Complete the forklift pre-shift checklist and report a worn tire to maintenance.
  2. Unload two inbound trailers, checking the dock plate and wheel chocks first.
  3. Put away pallets to high racking with a reach truck, scanning each location.
  4. Replenish pick locations as order pickers empty them.

See a full day in the life of a forklift operator →

Forklift Operator salary

Half of forklift operators earned more than $46,420 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,840 for the lowest 10% to $62,520 for the top 10%.

Full forklift operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a forklift operator

  1. Meet basic requirements
  2. Get a warehouse job
  3. Complete forklift training
  4. Pass the evaluation
  5. Advance

No formal education is required. Operators must be at least 18 under federal child labor rules, and OSHA requires employer-provided training (classroom and hands-on) plus a performance evaluation before operating independently.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a forklift operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Forklift and reach truck operation
  • Load handling and stacking
  • Pre-shift inspection
  • RF scanning and inventory
  • Dock safety

People skills

  • Situational awareness
  • Reliability
  • Accuracy
  • Teamwork

All forklift operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast training and quick pay bump over general labor
  • Openings in almost every community
  • Less heavy lifting than manual material handling
  • A step toward lead, inventory or supervisor roles

Cons

  • Repetitive work with productivity targets
  • Serious hazards if rules aren’t followed
  • Night shifts and peak-season overtime
  • Cold or hot environments in some facilities

Certifications and licenses

  • Employer forklift certification: OSHA requires training and evaluation specific to the trucks and workplace (29 CFR 1910.178).
  • Re-evaluation every 3 years: Required at least every three years, and refresher training after incidents or unsafe operation.
  • MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA): A foundational logistics credential.
  • OSHA 10 General Industry: Helpful general safety training.

Career path

  1. Forklift Operator: Move materials safely.
  2. Multi-Equipment Operator: Run reach trucks and order pickers.
  3. Lead or Inventory Control Specialist: Coordinate work or manage inventory accuracy.
  4. Warehouse Supervisor: Lead teams and operations.

Learn the job before day one

The training this job requires is OSHA Forklift Safety Training (4 hours, $59.99), available online. Our free resources cover the rest: 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a forklift pre-shift inspection and pick up and stack a pallet and a practice test.

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Online training for forklift operators

Complete job-title training from our affiliated training provider. Buy online and start right away.

Training for forklift operators
CourseHoursPriceBuy
OSHA Forklift Safety Training
For: Forklift Operator · 4 hours · English and Spanish
4$59.99Buy

Warehouse Associate

Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.

  • $40,240
  • Days (on the job)

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  • $58,640
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Logistics Coordinator

Plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.

  • $82,320
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Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

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Compare: Forklift Operator vs. Warehouse Associate · Forklift Operator vs. Truck Driver · Forklift Operator vs. Logistics Coordinator · Forklift Operator vs. Construction Laborer

Forklift Operator FAQ

How do I get forklift certified?

OSHA requires your employer to train and evaluate you on the equipment you’ll use. Many employers provide this training for new hires; some training centers offer courses that help you get hired.

How long does forklift certification last?

OSHA requires operator performance to be evaluated at least once every three years, and sooner after an incident or unsafe operation.

Do you need a license to drive a forklift?

No state license is required, but you must be trained and evaluated by your employer and be at least 18.

How much does a forklift operator make?

The median annual wage for forklift operators was $46,420 ($22.32 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,840 and the highest 10% earned more than $62,520.

How long does it take to become a forklift operator?

Most people need about 1–5 days of training. No formal education is required. Operators must be at least 18 under federal child labor rules, and OSHA requires employer-provided training (classroom and hands-on) plus a performance evaluation before operating independently.

Do you need a degree to be a forklift operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More forklift operator questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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