The average salary for a forklift operator in Arkansas is around $43,780 per year.
Avg Salary
Forklift operators earn an average yearly salary of $43,780.
Wages typically start from $33,890 and go up to $57,260.
26% below national average Updated in 2025
Forklift operator earnings by seniority
Top-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$27.53 per hour
$57,260 per year
Senior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$23.93 per hour
$49,780 per year
Mid-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$21.05 per hour
$43,780 per year
Junior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$17.88 per hour
$37,200 per year
Starting level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$16.30 per hour
$33,890 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Forklift 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 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $28,820 |
| Guam | $25,860 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,920 |
How do forklift operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Forklift operators earn about the same as related careers in Arkansas. On average, they make less than water treatment plant operators but more than precious metal workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $44K |
| Drill press operator salary | $47K |
| Crane operator salary | $42K |
| Maintenance worker salary | $43K |
| Metal worker salary | $45K |
| Forklift operator salary | $44K |
| Drywall installer salary | $45K |
| Machine feeder salary | $45K |
| Glazier salary | $45K |
| Precious metal worker salary | $36K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)