Also called: Industrial Truck Operator, Reach Truck Operator, Material Handler
Drives forklifts and reach trucks to move pallets of goods around warehouses and onto trucks.
You lift a 2,000-pound pallet 30 feet up into a rack slot with inches to spare, then unload a trailer at the dock. Skilled operators are fast, smooth, and safe.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma or less; forklift certification takes about a day.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Steady.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Self-driving forklifts and pallet robots are spreading fast; fewer operator jobs by 2036, especially in new buildings.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to warehouses or staffing agencies; they certify you on the forklift in about a day
Classes: Driver's education, Math.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-7051.
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