▼15%
R36.10
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (ZAR)
/ hour
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (ZAR)
10%
ZAR 23.25
MEDIAN
ZAR 36.10
90%
ZAR 59.57
The average hourly pay for a Forklift Operator is R36.10 in 2025
Hourly Rate
R23 - R60
Bonus
R1k - R16k
Profit Sharing
R511 - R54k
Total Pay
R49k - R133k
Is Average Early-Career Forklift Operator Hourly Pay in South Africa your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Forklift Operators?
What Do Forklift Operators Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Forklift Operator
Medical
21%
Dental
4%
Vision
4%
None
79%
Gender Breakdown for Forklift Operators
Male
100.0%
This data is based on 63 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Forklift Operators
What is the highest pay for Forklift Operators?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Forklift Operator is ZAR 59.57 / hour
What is the lowest pay for Forklift Operators?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Forklift Operator is ZAR 23.25 / hour
How can Forklift Operators increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Forklift Operator is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Forklift Operator that oversees more junior Forklift Operators, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.