Forklift / MHE Technician Salary: United States
At Skilled Trades Headhunters, this is what we do all day: recruit skilled trades professionals.
The median annual wage for Forklift / MHE Technician in the United States was $65,510 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers earned between $56,970 and $79,270.
Broader occupation Our title "Forklift / MHE Technician" is reported by BLS as SOC 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. BLS groups Forklift / MHE Technician within Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
Annual wages
Forklift / MHE Technician, the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $46,820, half earned less than the median of $65,510, 90% earned less than $94,460 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,820 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $56,970 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $65,510 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $79,270 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $94,460 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $69,240 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages
Forklift / MHE Technician, the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $22.51, half earned less than the median of $31.50, 90% earned less than $45.41 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.51 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $27.39 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $31.50 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $38.11 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $45.41 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $33.29 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 176,600 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, National.
What BLS wages include. Base pay plus any guaranteed or production-based incentive pay. They leave out overtime, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation.
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Target metros
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $65,820 | $59,830 to $78,100 | 1,970 | 0.61 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $62,950 | $52,590 to $76,060 | 1,440 | 0.88 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $60,510 | $45,600 to $73,490 | 1,340 | 0.84 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $66,600 | $59,830 to $77,380 | 1,020 | 1.21 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,060 | $63,020 to $93,660 | 4,380 | 0.41 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,060 | $63,020 to $93,660 | 4,380 | 0.41 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $62,860 | $50,380 to $77,310 | 4,620 | 1.01 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $62,410 | $55,920 to $78,040 | 5,330 | 1.43 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $74,090 | $58,140 to $83,520 | 2,570 | 0.5 |
How does Forklift / MHE Technician pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 49-3042, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 22 | $92,480 | Annual | 750 |
| Utilities | 221000 | $92,480 | Annual | 750 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | $96,350 | Annual | 650 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | 221300 | $61,870 | Annual | 80 |
| Construction | 23 | $63,350 | Annual | 44,220 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $62,450 | Annual | 3,580 |
| Residential Building Construction | 236100 | $53,410 | Annual | 650 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $62,910 | Annual | 2,920 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $63,780 | Annual | 20,790 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $65,560 | Annual | 8,480 |
| Land Subdivision | 237200 | $61,620 | Annual | 130 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 237300 | $62,820 | Annual | 9,730 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237900 | $64,450 | Annual | 2,450 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $63,270 | Annual | 19,860 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $63,800 | Annual | 2,320 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $63,350 | Annual | 2,510 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 238300 | $54,620 | Annual | 250 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $62,880 | Annual | 14,780 |
| Food Manufacturing | 311000 | $64,060 | Annual | 220 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 311400 | $62,940 | Annual | 40 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 311600 | $64,060 | Annual | 90 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | 311900 | $62,650 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 312000 | $72,550 | Annual | 60 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | 312100 | $73,770 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $65,950 | Annual | 6,690 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | 321000 | $66,830 | Annual | 800 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 321100 | $68,070 | Annual | 520 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 321200 | $66,800 | Annual | 190 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 321900 | $62,850 | Annual | 90 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324000 | $66,560 | Annual | 130 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324100 | $66,560 | Annual | 130 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 325000 | $94,260 | Annual | 200 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 3250A1 | $94,260 | Annual | 200 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $64,240 | Annual | 880 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331000 | $67,700 | Annual | 540 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 331100 | $67,700 | Annual | 360 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 331200 | $53,400 | Annual | 40 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 331300 | $83,920 | Annual | 60 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 331400 | $61,500 | Annual | 50 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $72,470 | Annual | 480 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $52,450 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $66,240 | Annual | 90 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 332700 | $72,470 | Annual | 330 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $61,840 | Annual | 1,720 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $61,680 | Annual | 1,620 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 333300 | $77,810 | Annual | 40 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 333600 | $48,390 | Annual | 60 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 334000 | $78,020 | Annual | 70 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $65,950 | Annual | 1,410 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 336100 | $84,840 | Annual | 220 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 336200 | $66,570 | Annual | 90 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $90,040 | Annual | 110 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $117,580 | Annual | 160 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 336500 | $55,080 | Annual | 40 |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $64,470 | Annual | 130 |
| Rail Transportation | 482000 | $73,400 | Annual | 520 |
| Rail Transportation | 482100 | $73,400 | Annual | 520 |
| Water Transportation | 483000 | $46,440 | Annual | 60 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 483100 | $46,440 | Annual | 60 |
| Truck Transportation | 484000 | $60,450 | Annual | 1,580 |
| Pipeline Transportation | 486000 | $96,860 | Annual | 210 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | 486200 | $96,860 | Annual | 160 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $101,870 | Annual | 4,820 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | 488100 | $60,180 | Annual | 620 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | 488200 | $64,300 | Annual | 420 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | 488300 | $129,310 | Annual | 3,620 |
| Support Activities for Road Transportation | 488400 | $71,630 | Annual | 150 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493000 | $60,650 | Annual | 1,090 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $60,650 | Annual | 1,090 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 53 | $61,620 | Annual | 20,750 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 532000 | $61,620 | Annual | 20,750 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | 5320A1 | $61,670 | Annual | 20,620 |
| Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing | 532100 | $47,580 | Annual | 130 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $87,320 | Annual | 1,630 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $87,320 | Annual | 1,630 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $87,320 | Annual | 1,260 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 541600 | $61,480 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 541700 | $65,150 | Annual | 100 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541900 | $84,140 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 561700 | $59,260 | Annual | 1,310 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | 562000 | $65,020 | Annual | 1,890 |
| Waste Collection | 562100 | $63,110 | Annual | 590 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 562200 | $67,690 | Annual | 880 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | 562900 | $66,550 | Annual | 420 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $64,170 | Annual | 9,330 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 811100 | $72,150 | Annual | 520 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $63,950 | Annual | 8,750 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 811400 | $90,540 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Shop Foreman (49-1011)Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $104,000 | 260 | 6.35 | 1.68 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,980 | 510 | 0.4 | 1.14 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,410 | 2,370 | 0.88 | 1.28 |
| Kokomo, IN | $90,040 | 40 | 0.91 | 1.84 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $85,300 | 120 | 1.12 | 1.35 |
| Springfield, IL | $83,990 | 70 | 0.6 | 1.59 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $82,510 | 220 | 0.49 | 1.34 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $82,340 | 160 | 3.33 | 1.43 |
| Mankato, MN | $81,990 | 70 | 1.04 | 1.66 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,290 | 1,630 | 0.74 | 1.37 |
| Ponce, PR | $53,370 | 40 | 0.56 | 1.98 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,640 | 70 | 1.1 | 1.20 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $52,410 | 180 | 1.04 | 1.12 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $51,710 | 80 | 0.46 | 1.42 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $51,470 | 250 | 1.59 | 1.15 |
| Alexandria, LA | $50,750 | 90 | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Morgantown, WV | $49,950 | 120 | 1.57 | 1.05 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $49,770 | 200 | 0.6 | 1.39 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $47,280 | 60 | 1.49 | 1.13 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $37,110 | 170 | 0.22 | 1.26 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Forklift / MHE Technician in National as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Forklift / MHE Technician in National, the published median for SOC 49-3042, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, is $65,510 per year. The middle half of the Forklift / MHE Technician in National wage distribution runs from $56,970 to $79,270, a width of $22,300 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Forklift / MHE Technician comparison, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA reports $81,000 per year while Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX reports $62,410 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Forklift / MHE Technician figure pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, read alongside Forklift / MHE Technician in National, are Support Activities for Water Transportation at $129,310 per year (NAICS 488300); Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing at $117,580 per year (NAICS 336400); Support Activities for Transportation at $101,870 per year (NAICS 488000). Those Forklift / MHE Technician in National industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Forklift / MHE Technician in National median was $63,980 per year in May 2024, compared with $65,510 in May 2025, a published difference of $1,530. That Forklift / MHE Technician in National comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $63,980 and $65,510 Forklift / MHE Technician in National estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before offering $65,510 per year for Forklift / MHE Technician in National, separate overtime, per diem, lodging and mobilization separately; prevailing wage obligations and union scale depend on the assignment and agreement, not a special BLS traveling-worker percentile. The Forklift / MHE Technician in National BLS comparison includes ordinary wages and qualifying incentive pay, but leaves overtime, discretionary bonuses, benefits and relocation outside this wage figure. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Forklift / MHE Technician in National can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Forklift / MHE Technician in National is broader: BLS groups Forklift / MHE Technician within Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately. For a Forklift / MHE Technician in National opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. A broader occupation can combine jobs that a Forklift / MHE Technician in National buyer would screen separately, which is why the badge and SOC remain beside the figures.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Forklift / MHE Technician in National buyer?
Forklift / MHE Technician in National has a published middle-half band of $56,970 to $79,270, a width of $22,300 per year, with median $65,510. An offer inside that Forklift / MHE Technician in National band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Forklift / MHE Technician in National?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Forklift / MHE Technician in National. Comparing those Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines tables with the $65,510 Forklift / MHE Technician in National median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Forklift / MHE Technician in National?
Forklift / MHE Technician in National uses national industry rows for SOC 49-3042, not local sector-specific wages. Support Activities for Water Transportation leads the selected sortable rows at $129,310 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Forklift / MHE Technician in National.
What changed between the releases for Forklift / MHE Technician in National?
Forklift / MHE Technician in National moved from $63,980 in May 2024 to $65,510 in May 2025. These Forklift / MHE Technician in National published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 49-3042. Published annual median: $63,980 (May 2024) and $65,510 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.