Forklift Operator Career Path
Are you curious on how to become a forklift operator or on how long it takes to get forklift certified but can’t find accurate or reliable information? We’ve got you covered. Here at NCW, we’re passionate about providing reliable information on your dream industry.
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Here is a short forklift operator skills list, let’s see if you check the boxes:
Mechanical and Technical Skills
Coordination
Safety First Mindset
Forklift Operator Job Overview
We think you have what it takes to be a forklift operator… do you?
As a key contributor to the warehousing industry, forklift operators provide more behind the scenes work than many people may realize. Their efforts inside the warehouse, however, do not go unnoticed. The transporting, stocking, and storing of inbound merchandise is crucial to keep a warehouse functioning to its full potential.
Key responsibilities to be a great forklift operator:
Roles and responsibilities in nearly every forklift operator job description:
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The Bare Necessities
Driving Success
Development and Experience
Here are some trends we’ve noticed in the warehousing industry:
It is important to keep up with trends relating to forklift operators and the warehousing industry. So, we did some digging for you. Here’s what we found!
01
Forklift operator trends
The states with the highest number of employments per thousand jobs as forklift operators: Indiana, 34%; Massachusetts, 33%; New Jersey, 32%; Maryland, 32%; and Rhode Island, 32%.
02
Hiring Trends in Warehousing Industry
More retail sales are shifting to e-commerce, which has created an increased need for hands-on labor to fulfill the ever-increasing orders.
03
Related Jobs
These job titles are often associated with forklift operator: machine operator, material handler, picker packer, warehouse associate, and warehouse worker.
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So, how much can you earn?
Let's Talk Forklift Operator Salary
A forklift operator’s salary can range between $27,000-$42,000 based on factors like experience, company, geographic location, and economic conditions. We know that’s a big range, and we know how daunting it can feel starting out.
Here’s the break down:
Entry level avg. salary: $27,000
Median salary: $34,200
Experienced level salary: $42,000
After seeing the breakdown in terms of salary you may still ask yourself “how much do forklift operators make an hour?” When you break down these numbers on an hourly scale, it would bring the median salary to around $16.45 per hour. As you gain experience within the role, that hourly rate will rise and can potentially reach to over $20 per hour.
Unsure of next steps to become a Forklift operator
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Let us show you why NCW should be a part of your journey to becoming a warehousing hire:
We specialize in helping warehousing professionals find their dream role. If you have experience operating heavy machinery, picking/packing materials, or logging extensive transportation details, we can help you find your next job operating a forklift! Have another specialty? Don’t worry, we do more than hire for warehousing jobs, so let us know how we can help you.
Our recruiters have years of experience working with top talent, just like you. Our goal is to get to know you, understand your aspirations, chat through your experience, and connect you with a position that aligns with your wants and needs.
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