Careers · Explore one path
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Other titles employers use
Checker Loader · Fork Lift Technician · Fork Truck Driver · Forklift Driver · Forklift Operator · Lift Truck Operator · Shag Truck Driver · Spotter Driver
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
5 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
- Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
- Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
- Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
- Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Coordination
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Far Vision
- Response Orientation
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.7 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.7 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 96%
- A certificate or some college 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Inventory management software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 107,840
- Job openings each year
- 11,450
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 24.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 107,840 | 11,450 | 24.6% |
| California | 106,200 | 10,530 | 6.6% |
| Georgia | 59,440 | 5,940 | 8.2% |
| Ohio | 43,050 | 4,180 | 2.3% |
| Florida | 36,900 | 3,740 | 11.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 35,060 | 3,360 | — |
| Illinois | 30,850 | 3,010 | 3.4% |
| Indiana | 28,850 | 2,800 | 2.5% |
| Michigan | 25,250 | 2,420 | — |
| North Carolina | 24,100 | 2,400 | 7.2% |
| Tennessee | 22,270 | 2,300 | 16.5% |
| New Jersey | 20,970 | 2,120 | 11.2% |
| New York | 18,550 | 0 | −4.8% |
| Virginia | 17,740 | 1,740 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 17,720 | 1,980 | 12.4% |
| Wisconsin | 17,020 | 1,700 | 7.7% |
| Arizona | 16,950 | 1,810 | 25.5% |
| Alabama | 16,490 | 1,640 | 7.4% |
| Kentucky | 14,990 | 1,520 | 11.3% |
| South Carolina | 14,500 | 1,540 | 23.7% |
| Missouri | 14,150 | 1,400 | 6.0% |
| Maryland | 11,720 | 1,140 | 1.9% |
| Oklahoma | 11,650 | 1,140 | 3.7% |
| Iowa | 11,560 | 1,150 | 6.9% |
| Arkansas | 11,410 | 1,130 | 6.2% |
| Mississippi | 9,640 | 980 | 12.0% |
| Colorado | 9,580 | 970 | 12.0% |
| Utah | 9,570 | 1,010 | 22.5% |
| Nevada | 9,400 | 1,030 | 33.5% |
| Oregon | 8,640 | 870 | 9.2% |
| Louisiana | 8,030 | 790 | 5.5% |
| Minnesota | 7,960 | 780 | 5.0% |
| Kansas | 7,940 | 760 | — |
| Delaware | 6,610 | 680 | 13.4% |
| Nebraska | 4,870 | 490 | 9.2% |
| New Mexico | 3,010 | 300 | 9.9% |
| Puerto Rico | 2,750 | 280 | 8.7% |
| Connecticut | 2,520 | 260 | 17.8% |
| Maine | 2,510 | 240 | −2.7% |
| Massachusetts | 2,510 | 250 | 3.3% |
| Idaho | 2,490 | 250 | 13.2% |
| West Virginia | 2,320 | 230 | 8.4% |
| South Dakota | 1,850 | 190 | 10.1% |
| New Hampshire | 1,760 | 170 | 6.0% |
| North Dakota | 1,280 | 130 | 5.8% |
| Montana | 1,150 | 120 | 11.7% |
| Wyoming | 760 | 80 | 20.6% |
| Vermont | 750 | 70 | 2.7% |
| Rhode Island | 440 | 50 | 10.0% |
| Alaska | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| District of Columbia | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Guam | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Virgin Islands | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.