The average salary for a fork lift operator in Kentucky is around $46,630 per year.
Avg Salary
Fork lift operators earn an average yearly salary of $46,630.
Wages typically start from $35,540 and go up to $70,840.
25% below national average Updated in 2025
Fork lift operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$34.06 per hour
$70,840 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$28.59 per hour
$59,470 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$22.42 per hour
$46,630 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$18.66 per hour
$38,820 per year
10th percentile
Starting level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$17.09 per hour
$35,540 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Fork lift operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $62,150 |
| Delaware | $60,350 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 |
| Alaska | $54,190 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $50,760 |
| Colorado | $50,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 |
| Minnesota | $49,740 |
| North Dakota | $49,260 |
| Utah | $49,040 |
| New York | $49,030 |
| Louisiana | $48,950 |
| Florida | $48,370 |
| Arizona | $48,110 |
| Montana | $48,060 |
| California | $47,770 |
| Maine | $47,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,730 |
| Illinois | $47,720 |
| Wisconsin | $47,720 |
| Iowa | $47,590 |
| Kansas | $47,430 |
| South Dakota | $47,410 |
| Vermont | $47,380 |
| Connecticut | $47,190 |
| Virginia | $46,920 |
| Massachusetts | $46,850 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 |
| Kentucky | $46,630 |
| Idaho | $46,600 |
| Ohio | $46,450 |
| New Jersey | $46,100 |
| Indiana | $45,650 |
| Maryland | $45,630 |
| Texas | $45,450 |
| Nevada | $45,230 |
| Michigan | $45,220 |
| Missouri | $45,190 |
| Rhode Island | $45,010 |
| Alabama | $44,880 |
| Oklahoma | $44,700 |
| Arkansas | $43,780 |
| South Carolina | $43,680 |
| Mississippi | $43,420 |
| North Carolina | $43,420 |
| Georgia | $43,210 |
| Tennessee | $42,100 |
| West Virginia | $41,670 |
| Guam | $27,680 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $24,870 |
| Puerto Rico | $19,070 |
How do fork lift operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Fork lift operators earn about the same as related careers in Kentucky. On average, they make less than gem workers but more than metal casters.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Gem worker salary | $47K |
| Precious metal worker salary | $47K |
| Roofer salary | $47K |
| Maintenance worker salary | $47K |
| Metal worker salary | $47K |
| Fork lift operator salary | $47K |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installer salary | $48K |
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $45K |
| Tile and marble setter salary | $47K |
| Metal caster salary | $39K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)