Forklift Operator Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median forklift operator in the Chicago area earns $47,950 a year ($23.05 an hour), 3% above the U.S. median ($46,420) and about the same as the Illinois median ($47,720). Half of the 22,320 forklift operators there earn between $43,100 and $57,660.
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,200 | $37,990 | $36,840 |
| 25th percentile | $43,100 | $42,850 | $40,030 |
| Median | $47,950 | $47,720 | $46,420 |
| 75th percentile | $57,660 | $57,550 | $54,770 |
| 90th percentile | $63,520 | $63,140 | $62,520 |
| Average | $49,980 | $49,550 | $48,370 |
| Jobs | 22,320 | 29,450 | 774,420 |
Chicago, IL ranks 15th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for forklift operator pay. Highest: San Francisco, CA ($59,240).
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Check my payForklift operator pay in other cities
- San Francisco, CA: $59,240
- Seattle, WA: $55,600
- San Jose, CA: $54,440
- Denver, CO: $52,190
- Portland, OR: $52,120
- Jacksonville, FL: $50,670
- Tampa, FL: $49,850
- Minneapolis, MN: $49,740
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Material Mover: $40,550
- Stocker: $38,450
- Truck Driver: $62,300
- Delivery Driver: $47,950
- School Bus Driver: $49,180
- All jobs in Chicago, IL
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.