Material Handler Forklift Salary in the United States

How much does a Material Handler Forklift make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Material Handler Forklift in the United States is $42,014 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,701
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,073 to $46,561
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,395
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,073 10% $36,395 90% $50,701 75% $46,561 $42,014 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Material Handler Forklift Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,561 $3,880 $895 $22
Average $42,014 $3,501 $808 $20
25th Percentile $39,073 $3,256 $751 $19
Check out Material Handler Forklift Job Openings in the United States
CDL B Driver/Material Handler Needed $19-$23 a hour + benefits

TransForce Inc. - KNOXVILLE, TN

Material Handler

EMT International - HOBART, WI

Material Handler

U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission, LLC - SANDUSKY, OH

Material Handler II

G&W Electric - NAPERVILLE, IL

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Key Factors That Influence Material Handler Forklift Salaries

A Material Handler Forklift'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Material Handler Forklift Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Material Handler Forklift'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): $40,739
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $40,825
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $41,680
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,351
  • Expert (over 8 years): $44,020
Levels Salary
Entry Level Material Handler Forklift$40,739
Intermediate Level Material Handler Forklift$40,825
Senior Level Material Handler Forklift$41,680
Specialist Level Material Handler Forklift$43,351
Expert Level Material Handler Forklift$44,020
$40,739 0 yr
$40,825 < 2 yrs
$41,680 2-4 yrs
$43,351 5-8 yrs
$44,020 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Material Handler Forklift Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Material Handler Forklifts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $46,518.
  • California: $46,341.
  • Massachusetts: $45,724.

Top Paying Cities for Material Handler Forklifts

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: $52,992
  • San Francisco: $52,471
  • Oakland: $51,307

What Skills Can Increase a Material Handler Forklift's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.83% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Warehouse Management (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Planning, arranging, and organizing goods and materials for the daily operation of a warehouse.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.83%
Housekeeping 3.86%
Warehouse Management 1.82%
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 Material Handler Forklift's salary.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Presentation
 $45,795
9%
Collaboration
 $44,115
5%
Scheduling
 $43,694
4%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $43,694
4%
Leadership
 $43,694
4%
Dedication
 $43,274
3%
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How Education impacts a Material Handler Forklift's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Material Handler Forklifts enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Material Handler Forklift with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $40,284 and $42,760).

Material Handler Forklift Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Material Handler Forklift
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.5%
High School 60.0%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 7.5%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Material Handler Forklift Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Material Handler Forklift'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$39,073
Average $42,014/year
$46,561
$3,256
Average $3,501/month
$3,880
$751
Average $808/week
$895
$19
Average $20/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $46,561 $3,880 $895 $22
Average $42,014 $3,501 $808 $20
25th Percentile $39,073 $3,256 $751 $19

Salaries of jobs related to Material Handler Forklift

Salary Trends for Material Handler Forklift

Salaries for a Material Handler Forklift can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,930 in 2023 to around $44,589 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Material Handler Forklift salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Material Handler Forklift Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$44,930
2024
$44,891
2025
$44,589
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $44,930
2024 $44,891
2025 $44,589
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Material Handler Forklift

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Material Handler Forklift

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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