Forklift Operators Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$57,000
Average Salary
$59,000
Salary Range
$37,000 - $72,000
Est. Employment*
1,400
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all forklift operators earn between $46,000 and $66,000.
About Forklift Operators in San Francisco
Forklift Operators are essential to commerce and travel, operating everything from trucks and buses to ships and aircraft. They follow safety regulations, maintain vehicles, and ensure efficient transportation of people and cargo.
In San Francisco, forklift operators benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology, Finance & Venture Capital, Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key Skills
Education
High school diploma; commercial driver's license (CDL) or specialized training
Requirements vary by role. Truck drivers need a CDL. Airline pilots require an ATP certificate and extensive flight hours. Railroad engineers need on-the-job training. Material movers typically need a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
Tips to Earn More as a Forklift Operators
Forklift Operators Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | +9% |
| New York, NY | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -5% |
| Seattle, WA | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -5% |
| Washington DC, DC | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -7% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -11% |
| Boston, MA | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -11% |
| San Diego, CA | $49,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | -14% |
| Denver, CO | $48,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | -16% |
| Austin, TX | $48,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | -16% |
| Portland, OR | $47,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | -18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $47,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | -18% |
| Anchorage, AK | $47,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | -18% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $46,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | -19% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $46,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | -19% |
| Chicago, IL | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -21% |
| Baltimore, MD | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -21% |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -21% |
| Hartford, CT | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -21% |
| Dallas, TX | $44,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | -23% |
| Raleigh, NC | $44,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | -23% |
| Houston, TX | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -26% |
| Atlanta, GA | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -26% |
| Nashville, TN | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -26% |
| Columbus, OH | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -26% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -26% |
| Detroit, MI | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| St. Louis, MO | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Richmond, VA | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Louisville, KY | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -30% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -30% |
| Toronto, ON | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -30% |
| Miami, FL | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Tampa, FL | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Orlando, FL | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| San Antonio, TX | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Cleveland, OH | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Memphis, TN | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| New Orleans, LA | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Vancouver, BC | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -32% |
| Buffalo, NY | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -33% |
| Birmingham, AL | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -33% |
| Tucson, AZ | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -33% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | -35% |
| Ottawa, ON | $37,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | -35% |
| Calgary, AB | $37,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | -35% |
| Edmonton, AB | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -37% |
| Montreal, QC | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -40% |
| Hamilton, ON | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -42% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $32,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | -44% |
| Halifax, NS | $31,000 | $22,000 - $38,000 | -46% |
| Quebec City, QC | $30,000 | $21,000 - $37,000 | -47% |