Forklift Operator Salary in Birchleaf, VA

How much does a Forklift Operator make in Birchleaf, VA?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Forklift Operator in Birchleaf, VA is $37,972 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Forklift Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,087
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,689 to $41,173
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,699
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View as table View as graph 25% $34,689 10% $31,699 90% $44,087 75% $41,173 $37,972 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Forklift Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $41,173 $3,431 $792 $20
Average $37,972 $3,164 $730 $18
25th Percentile $34,689 $2,891 $667 $17
Check out Forklift Operator Job Openings in Birchleaf, VA
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Key Factors That Influence Forklift Operator Salaries

A Forklift Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Forklift Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Forklift Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,109
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $38,656
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $39,786
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $39,940
  • Expert (over 8 years): $40,197
Levels Salary
Entry Level Forklift Operator$38,109
Intermediate Level Forklift Operator$38,656
Senior Level Forklift Operator$39,786
Specialist Level Forklift Operator$39,940
Expert Level Forklift Operator$40,197
$38,109 0 yr
$38,656 < 2 yrs
$39,786 2-4 yrs
$39,940 5-8 yrs
$40,197 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Forklift Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $52,212
  • San Francisco: $51,640
  • Oakland: $50,552

What Skills Can Increase a Forklift Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Container (Mentioned in 4.03% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
  • Shipping and Receiving (Mentioned in 1.93% Job Postings): Managing and maintaining records of all products shipped and received to ensure the correct filing of orders.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 5.41%
Container 4.03%
Shipping and Receiving 1.93%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Forklift Operator's salary.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Equipment Operation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative
 $39,111
3%
Products and Services
 $39,111
3%
Equipment Operation
 $39,111
3%
Sense Of Urgency
 $38,731
2%
Commitment
 $38,731
2%
Continuous Improvement
 $38,731
2%
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Forklift Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Forklift Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$34,689
Average $37,972/year
$41,173
$2,891
Average $3,164/month
$3,431
$667
Average $730/week
$792
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,173 $3,431 $792 $20
Average $37,972 $3,164 $730 $18
25th Percentile $34,689 $2,891 $667 $17

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Cost of Living In Birchleaf, VA

Cost of Living in Birchleaf, VA is
-11.6% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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