How Much Does a Forklift Driver Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$46,420
Forklift drivers in the U.S. earn a median of $46,420 a year, or $22.32 an hour. Half of forklift drivers earn more than $46,420 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $62,520.
Pay percentiles for forklift drivers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.71 | $36,840 |
| 25th | $19.24 | $40,030 |
| 50th (median) | $22.32 | $46,420 |
| 75th | $26.33 | $54,770 |
| 90th | $30.06 | $62,520 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (SOC 53-7051). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for forklift drivers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 | $40.25 | +80% |
| New Mexico | $62,150 | $29.88 | +34% |
| Delaware | $60,350 | $29.02 | +30% |
| Wyoming | $59,820 | $28.76 | +29% |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 | $26.19 | +17% |
| Alaska | $54,190 | $26.05 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $53,640 | $25.79 | +16% |
| Oregon | $50,760 | $24.40 | +9% |
| Colorado | $50,570 | $24.31 | +9% |
| Washington | $49,910 | $24.00 | +8% |
| United States | $46,420 | $22.32 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many forklift drivers are there?
BLS counts about 774,420 forklift drivers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators”. The most jobs are in California (89,620), Texas (88,780) and Georgia (50,260).
The mean (average) annual wage is $48,370, higher than the median of $46,420.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,868
- Biweekly
- $1,785
- Weekly
- $893
- Daily (8 hours)
- $179
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forklift drivers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for forklift drivers is $22.32. The middle 50% earn between $19.24 and $26.33 an hour.
Which state pays forklift drivers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for forklift drivers at $83,720, +80% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for forklift drivers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of forklift drivers earn less than $36,840 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.