How much do forklift technicians make?

Updated October 28, 2026. Every number links to its source.

Industry survey

Modern Materials Handling's 2026 MRO survey puts the base salary for a forklift technician at $51,350 (up from $49,257 the year before) and the top salary at $61,270 (down from $65,843).^[1] The same survey found 56% of respondents are currently short one to five forklift technicians, and 87% say certification leads to higher starting wages.^[1]

Federal data

The BLS does not publish a separate forklift-technician category. The closest group in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers and millwrights, has a median annual wage of $64,100 (May 2025; lowest 10% under $45,760, highest 10% over $94,530), projected employment growth of 14% (2025-35) and about 51,900 openings a year.^[2] Treat this as a neighbouring benchmark, not a forklift-specific number.

What employers are posting

Pay ranges published in real postings we list (checked October 2026):

• ProLift Toyota Material Handling, shop technician, Cleveland OH: $26.42-$41/hr^[3]
• C&S Wholesale Grocers, in-house MHE technician, Miami FL: $23.88-$31.89/hr^[4]
• Cox Fleet, lead mobile technician & trainer, Houston TX: $38-$48/hr^[5]
• Eastern Lift Truck Co., forklift repair technician, MD/VA: $25-$40/hr^[6]
• Quinn Company, master technician: $37.88-$55.95/hr^[7]
• AAA Forklifts, technicians, FL/NC: $25-$50/hr plus commission^[8]

Field (road) technicians and lead or master technicians sit at the top of these ranges; in-house warehouse roles and entry-level shop roles sit lower. Ranges are as posted by each employer and may change.

Browse field service jobs or in-house / DC jobs to see current posted pay.

Sources

1. Modern Materials Handling, "2026 MRO Survey: The workforce behind warehouse automation" (Mar 1, 2026; 112 respondents, fielded Dec 2025). https://www.mmh.com/article/2026_mro_survey_the_workforce_behind_warehouse_automation
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm
3. ProLift Toyota Material Handling, Experienced Service Technician - Shop (Cleveland, OH) posting. https://prolifttoyota.acquiretm.com/job_details_clean.aspx?id=4303
4. C&S Wholesale Grocers, MHE / Forklift Technician II (Miami, FL) posting. https://cswg.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CS_Careers/job/Forklift-Technician_R-268474
5. Cox Fleet, Lead Mobile Forklift Technician & Trainer (Houston, TX) posting. https://cox.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Cox_External_Career_Site_1/job/Lead-Mobile-Forklift-Technician---Trainer_R202683688
6. Eastern Lift Truck Co., Forklift Repair Technician posting. https://www.easternlifttruck.com/job/forklift-repair-technician-8765/
7. Quinn Company, Master Technician posting. https://careers-quinngroup.icims.com/jobs/4172/master-technician/job
8. AAA Forklifts, Technician careers page. https://aaaforklifts.com/pages/technician-careers