Career Overview
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Also Known As
- Fork Truck Driver
- Forklift Driver
- Forklift Operator
- Spotter Driver
Alternate Job Titles
- Carry All Driver
- CAT Driver (Caterpillar Driver)
- CAT Operator (Caterpillar Operator)
- CAT Skinner (Caterpillar Skinner)
- CAT Tender (Caterpillar Tender)
- CAT Tractor Operator (Caterpillar Tractor Operator)
- Charging Car Operator
- Checker Loader
- Diesel Tractor Operator
- Dolly Driver
- Drier Transfer Car Operator
- Electric Car Operator
- Electric Dolly Operator
- Electric Lift Truck Driver
- Electric Mule Driver
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
- Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
- Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
- Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
- Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Far Vision
- Response Orientation
- Manual Dexterity
- Rate Control
- Depth Perception
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Banding equipment
- Belt conveyors
- Booms
- Bridgeplates
- Bulk liquid trucks
- Cantilever trucks
- Combination vacuum lifts
- Container reach stackers
- Container top handlers
- Counterbalanced front/side loader lift trucks
- Crane attachments
- Dockboards
- Dollies
- Extended-reach forklifts
- Flatbed trailers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Time Pressure
- Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $36,500 |
| Median | $46,390 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $61,540 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 805,770
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Hoist and Winch Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,310
Crane and Tower Operators
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $66,370
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,070
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $68,860
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,710
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.