Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Forklift Operator in Maine is $34,847 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.
However, a Heavy Forklift Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
Heavy Forklift Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $37,211 | $3,101 | $716 | $18 |
| Average | $34,847 | $2,904 | $670 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,388 | $2,699 | $623 | $16 |
DHL - Lewiston, ME
DHL - Augusta, ME
DHL - South Portland, ME
Chewy - Lewiston, ME
A Heavy 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Heavy 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Heavy Forklift Operator | $35,188 |
| Intermediate Level Heavy Forklift Operator | $35,435 |
| Senior Level Heavy Forklift Operator | $36,002 |
| Specialist Level Heavy Forklift Operator | $36,115 |
| Expert Level Heavy Forklift Operator | $36,191 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Heavy Forklift Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how a Heavy 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $37,211 | $3,101 | $716 | $18 |
| Average | $34,847 | $2,904 | $670 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,388 | $2,699 | $623 | $16 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Heavy Forklift Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Chewy
Portland, ME
Chewy | Portland, ME
Chewy empowers you to build, grow, and unleash your fullest potential. Currently welcoming applications for multiple Forklift Operator openings to perform ... more
2 Days Ago
Chewy
Augusta, ME
Chewy | Augusta, ME
Chewy empowers you to build, grow, and unleash your fullest potential. Currently welcoming applications for multiple Forklift Operator openings to perform ... more
2 Days Ago
Radius Recycling
Portland, ME
Radius Recycling | Portland, ME
Radius Recycling - - Responsibilities: Operate forklift and/or skid steer to lift and move materials, machines, and/or products while complying with Health... more
3 Days Ago
Casella Waste Systems
Lewiston, ME
Casella Waste Systems | Lewiston, ME
Casella Waste Systems - - Responsibilities: Perform daily maintenance checks on the forklift before operation to ensure safe operation. Operate forklift in... more
3 Days Ago
Aerotek
Biddeford, ME
Aerotek | Biddeford, ME
Aerotek - - Responsibilities: Load and unload materials safely and efficiently. Receive inbound materials and verify documentation. Transport materials to ... more
3 Days Ago
Load Logix
Lewiston, ME
Load Logix | Lewiston, ME
Power the movement behind our operation. As a Forklift Operator, you'll play a critical role in keeping our warehouse running smoothly by safely transporti... more
2 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
