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Forklift operator

Also called forklift driver, order picker driver, forklift truck operator

Forklift operators are responsible for operating forklifts to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise. They are accountable for the safe and efficient operation of forklifts. Moreover, they perform the filling of orders and check the accuracy of other orders.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects19 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Drivers and mobile plant operatorsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Drivers and mobile plant operatorsWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 7 in 10 train through vocational routes.Drivers and mobile plant operatorsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Lifting truck operators · ILO

What you'd do

Lifting truck operators · ILO
  • Operating and monitoring lifting truck and similar equipment to load and unload, transport, lift and stack goods and pallets in terminals, harbours, warehouses, factories and other establishments
  • Positioning lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids and boxes, and securing material or products for transport to designated areas
  • Inspecting equipment to identify wear and damage
  • Performing routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment
  • Keeping records of work undertaken and breakdowns of vehicles
Follow signalling instructionsStack goodsConduct forklift inspectionsEstimate distancesMonitor goods movement+ 26 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as drivers and mobile plant operators in the EU
8.26m9.01m8.74m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,996,000 replacing leavers 322,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Drivers and mobile plant operators19
All jobs29
Right now
8 of 27 countries report a shortage of lifting truck operators, 6 a surplus.
Lifting truck operators · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among plant and machine operators, and assemblers in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) is the usual route.

Highest qualification of drivers and mobile plant operators (EU, 2025)
Degree 8%Vocational 52%General secondary 11%Basic schooling 28%
Field that teaches it
Materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood)
Vocational route, EU
7 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.20 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Keeping records of work undertaken and breakdowns of vehicles0.38
Operating and monitoring lifting truck and similar equipment to load and unload, transport, lift and stack goods and pallets in terminals, harbours, warehouses, factories and other establishments0.15
Inspecting equipment to identify wear and damage0.15
Performing routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment0.15
Positioning lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids and boxes, and securing material or products for transport to designated areas0.15

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for lifting truck operators. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).