There are currently an estimated 549,900 forklift operators in the United States. The forklift operator job market is expected to grow by 6.5% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are forklift operators?
CareerExplorer rates forklift operators with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 43,500 forklift operators. That number is based on 36,000 additional forklift operators, and the retirement of 7,500 existing forklift operators.
What’s the supply of forklift operators?
The forklift operator industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Georgia
Forklift Operator job market by state
| State Name | Employed Forklift Operators |
|---|---|
| Texas | 62,820 |
| California | 59,260 |
| Georgia | 33,790 |
| Pennsylvania | 31,580 |
| Ohio | 26,640 |
| Illinois | 25,010 |
| North Carolina | 23,250 |
| Florida | 21,160 |
| Tennessee | 17,980 |
| New Jersey | 17,640 |
| Michigan | 17,110 |
| New York | 16,130 |
| Indiana | 16,000 |
| Kentucky | 13,880 |
| Virginia | 13,140 |
| Wisconsin | 12,920 |
| Washington | 11,570 |
| Missouri | 11,070 |
| Colorado | 10,210 |
| Arizona | 9,650 |
| Oregon | 9,510 |
| Alabama | 9,130 |
| Minnesota | 8,630 |
| South Carolina | 7,950 |
| Arkansas | 7,140 |
| Mississippi | 7,060 |
| Maryland | 6,940 |
| Louisiana | 6,910 |
| Iowa | 6,580 |
| Oklahoma | 6,230 |
| Massachusetts | 5,680 |
| Kansas | 5,320 |
| Utah | 4,510 |
| Nebraska | 3,250 |
| Puerto Rico | 2,710 |
| Nevada | 2,680 |
| Maine | 2,660 |
| Connecticut | 2,270 |
| Idaho | 2,250 |
| West Virginia | 2,180 |
| Delaware | 1,880 |
| New Hampshire | 1,580 |
| South Dakota | 1,320 |
| Rhode Island | 1,210 |
| North Dakota | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | 1,100 |
| Wyoming | 1,040 |
| Montana | 1,010 |
| Vermont | 860 |
| Hawaii | 770 |
| Alaska | 600 |
| Guam | 180 |
| District of Columbia | 90 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 50 |