There are currently an estimated 549,900 fork lift operators in the United States. The fork lift operator job market is expected to grow by 6.5% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are fork lift operators?
CareerExplorer rates fork lift 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 fork lift operators. That number is based on 36,000 additional fork lift operators, and the retirement of 7,500 existing fork lift operators.
What’s the supply of fork lift operators?
The fork lift operator industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Georgia
Fork Lift Operator job market by state
| State Name | Employed Fork Lift 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 |