Forklift Operator Salary in Seattle, WA
Updated
The median forklift operator in the Seattle area earns $55,600 a year ($26.73 an hour), 20% above the U.S. median ($46,420) and 11% above the Washington median ($49,910). Half of the 10,110 forklift operators there earn between $48,710 and $56,940.
| Annual pay | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,220 | $41,600 | $36,840 |
| 25th percentile | $48,710 | $46,460 | $40,030 |
| Median | $55,600 | $49,910 | $46,420 |
| 75th percentile | $56,940 | $56,760 | $54,770 |
| 90th percentile | $63,690 | $62,920 | $62,520 |
| Average | $55,100 | $52,360 | $48,370 |
| Jobs | 10,110 | 18,750 | 774,420 |
Seattle, WA ranks 2nd 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
- Denver, CO: $52,190
- Portland, OR: $52,120
- Jacksonville, FL: $50,670
- Tampa, FL: $49,850
- Minneapolis, MN: $49,740
- Washington, DC: $49,710
- All cities
Similar jobs in Seattle, WA
- Material Mover: $47,740
- Stocker: $46,830
- Truck Driver: $71,240
- Delivery Driver: $49,590
- School Bus Driver: $66,380
- All jobs in Seattle, WA
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.