The steps to get hired as a forklift operator
- You do not need a diploma or certificate to start; some companies prefer a high school diploma. If you qualify, WIOA can pay for job training: WIOA forklift operator training.
- Your employer must certify that you were trained, and some employers require or prefer a certification. Practice for the test free: Forklift practice test, Forklift test.
- Write a resume for the job: the forklift operator resume has a full sample and the skills employers look for.
- Practice the interview: Forklift operator interview questions.
- Apply to openings near you: forklift operator jobs near me.
| Forklift operator | |
|---|---|
| Median pay | $46,420 a year (median for industrial truck and tractor operators, May 2025) |
| Education to start | No formal credential; some companies prefer a high school diploma |
| Training on the job | On the job, often less than a month; a forklift can take only a few days |
| Job outlook | 1 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 for all material moving machine operators, about 70,700 openings each year |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, page last updated August 27, 2026.
What it takes to become a forklift operator
Learning to run a forklift can take only a few days. An experienced worker usually does the training.
Employers must certify that each operator was trained, and many of the safety rules come from OSHA.
Some employers require or prefer a certification.
Apply to jobs near you
Pick the job and your ZIP code to see openings near you. Capstone Careers writes your resume for each one from what you give it and fills in the application.
The guides and tools for this job are together on the forklift operator page.