As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Forklift Technician in South Dakota is $48,318 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, a Forklift Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Forklift Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $51,965 | $4,330 | $999 | $25 |
| Average | $48,318 | $4,027 | $929 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,582 | $3,465 | $800 | $20 |
Weyerhaeuser - VERADALE, WA
Freshpoint - HONOLULU, HI
Koch Foods - LINDENWALD, OH
Contract Lumber - CHARLESTON, SC
A Forklift Technician'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.
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 Forklift Technicians. 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 Forklift Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Forklift Technician positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Forklift Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $53,150 | $26.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $53,150 | $26.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $53,150 | $26.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $53,150 | $26.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $53,150 | $26.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Forklift Technician'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 | $51,965 | $4,330 | $999 | $25 |
| Average | $48,318 | $4,027 | $929 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,582 | $3,465 | $800 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Forklift Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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