by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Forklift Operation covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Operate Forklifts In A Variety Of Work Environments. Includes Instruction In Accident Prevention, Forklift Operation, Materials Handling, And Worksite Safety. Continue reading for the important information every forklift operation student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering forklift operation programs.
Across the country, forklift operation is a popular field of study, with 197 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Forklift Operation Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for forklift operation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forklift operation programs later in this article.
Coursework for Forklift Operation develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations forklift operation graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a forklift operation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a forklift operation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to forklift operation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 73.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 22.5% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in forklift operation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in forklift operation opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to forklift operation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forklift operation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | 406,038 | 11.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of forklift operation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,832 |
| 4 years | $42,430 |
| 5 years | $45,687 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for forklift operation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers forklift operation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $36,138 |
With 3 different forklift operation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased forklift operation school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in forklift operation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor | 21,399 |
| Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | 1,131 |
| Ground Transportation, Other | 163 |
| Railroad and Railway Transportation | 78 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
