The average salary for a fork lift operator in North Carolina is around $43,420 per year.
Avg Salary
Fork lift operators earn an average yearly salary of $43,420.
Wages typically start from $35,940 and go up to $56,000.
37% below national average Updated in 2025
Fork lift operator earnings by seniority
Top-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$26.92 per hour
$56,000 per year
Senior-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$22.84 per hour
$47,510 per year
Mid-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$20.88 per hour
$43,420 per year
Junior-level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$18.31 per hour
$38,080 per year
Starting level fork lift operator earnings begin at:
$17.28 per hour
$35,940 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 North Carolina. On average, they make less than tile and marble setters but more than stone cutters.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tile and marble setter salary | $45K |
| Cabinetmaker salary | $46K |
| Construction worker salary | $45K |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installer salary | $45K |
| Construction painter salary | $44K |
| Fork lift operator salary | $43K |
| Metal worker salary | $42K |
| Log grader salary | $37K |
| Furniture finisher salary | $40K |
| Stone cutter salary | $38K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)