The average salary for a forklift operator in Kentucky is around $46,630 per year.
Avg Salary
Forklift operators earn an average yearly salary of $46,630.
Wages typically start from $35,540 and go up to $70,840.
23% below national average Updated in 2025
Forklift operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$34.06 per hour
$70,840 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$28.59 per hour
$59,470 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$22.42 per hour
$46,630 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$18.66 per hour
$38,820 per year
10th percentile
Starting level forklift operator earnings begin at:
$17.09 per hour
$35,540 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 Kentucky. On average, they make less than gem workers but more than food batchmakers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Gem worker salary | $47K |
| Roofer salary | $47K |
| Recreational vehicle service technician salary | $48K |
| Maintenance worker salary | $47K |
| Metal worker salary | $47K |
| Forklift operator salary | $47K |
| Printing worker salary | $48K |
| Drywall installer salary | $48K |
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $45K |
| Food batchmaker salary | $47K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)