Forklift Operator Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median forklift operator in the San Diego area earns $46,370 a year ($22.29 an hour), about the same as the U.S. median ($46,420) and 3% below the California median ($47,770). Half of the 3,890 forklift operators there earn between $41,110 and $56,190.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,520 | $38,650 | $36,840 |
| 25th percentile | $41,110 | $43,210 | $40,030 |
| Median | $46,370 | $47,770 | $46,420 |
| 75th percentile | $56,190 | $58,360 | $54,770 |
| 90th percentile | $63,330 | $63,330 | $62,520 |
| Average | $48,710 | $50,360 | $48,370 |
| Jobs | 3,890 | 89,620 | 774,420 |
San Diego, CA ranks 33rd 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
- San Jose, CA: $54,440
- Riverside, CA: $47,850
- Seattle, WA: $55,600
- Denver, CO: $52,190
- Portland, OR: $52,120
- Jacksonville, FL: $50,670
- Tampa, FL: $49,850
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Material Mover: $43,320
- Stocker: $39,160
- Truck Driver: $59,780
- Delivery Driver: $45,670
- School Bus Driver: $60,440
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
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.