The average salary for a forklift operator in Colorado is around $50,570 per year.
Avg Salary
Forklift operators earn an average yearly salary of $50,570.
Wages typically start from $40,560 and go up to $65,630.
29% below national average Updated in 2025
Forklift operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$31.55 per hour
$65,630 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$29.10 per hour
$60,530 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$24.31 per hour
$50,570 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$22.10 per hour
$45,970 per year
10th percentile
Starting level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$19.50 per hour
$40,560 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 Colorado. On average, they make less than roofers but more than molding and casting workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Roofer salary | $52K |
| Highway maintenance worker salary | $52K |
| Maintenance worker salary | $51K |
| Stonemason salary | $50K |
| Plasterer salary | $48K |
| Forklift operator salary | $51K |
| Ship loader salary | $51K |
| Cabinetmaker salary | $50K |
| Furniture finisher salary | $50K |
| Molding and casting worker salary | $50K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)