Forklift Operator Work

Forklift operators move stuff around warehouses and distribution centers, manufacturing plants, construction sites. They’re the people driving those industrial trucks with the forks on front that lift pallets. Simple enough job description but there’s more to it than just driving around all day.

The median pay sits around $38,010 per year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from their May 2023 wage estimates (bls.gov). That breaks down to about $18.27 hourly. But warehouse workers operating forklifts at Amazon facilities in some states were making $19-21 per hour as of early 2024 based on their posted job listings, while Walmart distribution centers listed forklift positions at $20.50-24.00 depending on shift and location (walmart.com careers page).

Getting Certified

You can’t just hop on a forklift and start working. OSHA requires training and evaluation. Most programs take 1-2 days for the classroom portion and hands-on practice. Places like IVES Training Group charge around $150-300 for certification courses. Some employers provide free training when they hire you, which is better obviously.

The certification covers different forklift classes – Class 1 electric motor riders, Class 4 internal combustion cushion tire, Class 5 pneumatic tire ones. Raymond Corporation and Crown Equipment manufacture a lot of the electric models you see in warehouses, while Toyota Material Handling and Hyster-Yale make various types.

Recertification happens every three years per OSHA standards, though workplace accidents or near-misses trigger immediate retraining requirements.

What the Job Actually Involves

Moving inventory takes up most of the day. Loading trucks, unloading deliveries, stacking pallets in racking systems that go 20-30 feet high in big distribution centers. The forklift controls aren’t complicated but precision matters when you’re lifting loads that weigh 3,000-5,000 pounds and placing them on racks with maybe 6 inches clearance on each side.

Reach trucks work differently than counterbalance forklifts. Stand-up reach trucks are narrow and built for warehouse aisles, you operate them standing up and the mast extends forward. Counterbalance forklifts have that weight in back to offset the load, you sit down to drive them. Order picker forklifts lift the operator up with the forks to pick individual items from high shelves.

Safety checks happen at shift start – tire pressure, fluid levels, checking the forks for cracks or bends, testing the horn and backup alarm, making sure the overhead guard isn’t damaged. Documentation goes in a logbook that OSHA can inspect.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for material moving machine operators will grow about 4% from 2022 to 2032, which adds up to roughly 48,300 new positions (bls.gov employment projections). E-commerce growth drives a lot of this demand. Online sales hit $1.118 trillion in 2023 per Department of Commerce figures, and those products move through warehouses where forklift operators work.

Physical Requirements and Workplace Conditions

You’re sitting for 8-12 hour shifts with vibration from the forklift coming through the seat. Repetitive motions – turning, reaching, operating the controls over and over. Temperature controlled warehouses are nice, but plenty of facilities aren’t climate controlled so summer heat and winter cold become factors. Noise levels in busy warehouses with multiple forklifts, conveyor systems, and truck traffic require hearing protection in many facilities.

Back problems show up frequently. A study published in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics found that forklift operators reported musculoskeletal disorders at higher rates than other warehouse workers, with lower back pain being the most common complaint (sciencedirect.com). The constant vibration and sitting position contribute to this.

Some distribution centers run 24/7 operations with rotating shifts. Third shift (overnight) positions sometimes pay differential rates – an extra $1-2 per hour in many cases. Weekend shifts might come with premium pay too.

Experience and Advancement

Entry level positions exist but preference goes to operators with 1-2 years experience. Someone with 5+ years experience and multiple certifications (different forklift types, maybe OSHA 10-hour general industry training) can move into lead operator roles or warehouse supervisor positions.

United Parcel Service distribution hubs employ large numbers of forklift operators. Their posting from 2024 showed rates starting at $21/hour for part-time warehouse workers including forklift duties. FedEx Ground contractors hire operators at comparable rates. These logistics companies provide volume that keeps forklift operators in demand.

Manufacturing facilities need forklift operators too – automotive plants, food processing facilities, anywhere that raw materials come in and finished products go out. Caterpillar manufacturing plants, General Motors facilities, these places employ operators at higher wages than typical warehouses. GM’s hourly production workers (which includes material handlers operating forklifts) made $32-42 per hour based on their 2023 UAW contract details.

Training Gaps and Real Problems

The forklift training industry has problems. Some online certification programs sell certificates without proper hands-on evaluation, which violates OSHA requirements. A certificate means nothing if the operator can’t actually control the equipment safely. Employers who accept these fake certifications create dangerous situations.

Turnover in warehouse forklift positions runs high. A 2023 analysis from industry publication Logistics Management reported warehouse turnover rates averaging 43% annually (logisticsmgmt.com). Low wages at many facilities, demanding physical work, and monotonous tasks drive people out. Companies that pay better and provide good working conditions keep operators longer.

Automation threatens some forklift jobs but not as fast as predictions suggested. Autonomous forklifts from companies like Seegrid and Toyota Automation exist, mostly in specific use cases like very repetitive routes in controlled environments. The technology costs $100,000+ per unit and implementation requires significant infrastructure investment. Small and mid-size operations won’t automate anytime soon. Complex tasks like loading irregular freight or working in tight spaces still need human operators.

The demand side looks stable for the next decade at minimum. Warehouses keep getting built – Prologis, the largest warehouse REIT, reported developing 77 million square feet of new logistics space in 2023 alone (prologis.com). Those buildings need people to move the products inside them.

Weather affects outdoor forklift work significantly. Construction sites and lumber yards use rough terrain forklifts with pneumatic tires that handle uneven ground. Rain makes surfaces slippery, snow and ice create hazards. Operators deal with these conditions while maintaining productivity expectations.