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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Forklift Driver in South Dakota is $37,617 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Certified Forklift Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Forklift Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $40,754 | $3,396 | $784 | $20 |
| Average | $37,617 | $3,135 | $723 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,402 | $2,867 | $662 | $17 |
Costco Wholesale Corporation - Sioux Falls, SD
Costco Wholesale Corp. - Sioux Falls, SD
Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. - Sioux Falls, SD
Perishable Shipping Solutions - Sioux Falls, SD
A Certified Forklift Driver'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 Certified Forklift Driver'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 Certified Forklift Driver | $37,304 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Forklift Driver | $37,840 |
| Senior Level Certified Forklift Driver | $38,946 |
| Specialist Level Certified Forklift Driver | $39,096 |
| Expert Level Certified Forklift Driver | $39,347 |
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 Certified Forklift Drivers. 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:
For Certified Forklift Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Certified Forklift Driver positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Certified Forklift Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $45,140 | $22.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $42,131 | $20.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $41,379 | $20.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $41,379 | $20.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $40,626 | $20.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Certified Forklift Driver'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 | $40,754 | $3,396 | $784 | $20 |
| Average | $37,617 | $3,135 | $723 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,402 | $2,867 | $662 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Forklift Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Lineage Logistics
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