Forklift Operator Salary in Adelaide (2026)

Last updated

Forklift Operators in Adelaide earn a median salary of $61,616 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $80,000. That sits 21% below Adelaide's all-roles median of $78,000. Figures are based on 32 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Adelaide in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 67th percentile by listing volume in Adelaide ↑ +4 listings vs last month
💰 Forklift Operator · Adelaide
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $80,000
Median: $61,616
Apr $65k
May $61k
↓ Trending down

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $55,000 – $80,000
Overall $55k–$80k Mid $55k–$80k $53k $59k $64k $70k $76k $82k
Moderate confidence 32 listings (+4 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $55,000 Median  $61,616 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Adelaide Market

Forklift Operators in Adelaide earned $61,616 in May, down $3,384 from April, with 32 listings (up 4). Adelaide pays the least of all cities for this role, $6,544 below Melbourne and $7,544 below Brisbane. At 21% below Adelaide's all-roles median, this is well below market. The 41% spread from $55k to $80k is wider than Melbourne, reflecting variability across industries.

Take Home Pay (based on median $61,616)

Weekly (net)
~$961
Monthly (net)
~$4,164
Annual (net)
~$49,967
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $68,701

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Forklift Operator in Adelaide?
Entry-level Forklift Operators in Adelaide earn $55,000 to $61,616 at the mid level. A valid forklift licence (LF class) is the mandatory entry requirement. Reach-truck or specialised equipment endorsements can add $3,000 to $5,000 to base pay in distribution centre environments.
Is $61,616 a good salary in Adelaide?
At $61,616 and 21% below Adelaide's all-roles median, this is a below-market salary. Adelaide has low living costs, which improves the effective purchasing power, but the gap to the city benchmark is real. Melbourne ($70,000) and Brisbane ($69,160) pay considerably more for the same licence.
How much does a Senior Forklift Operator make in Adelaide?
Forklift Operator roles in Adelaide cap around $80,000 at the p90. Moving into a Storeperson or Warehouse Coordinator function provides a modest pay improvement. Significant salary growth typically requires a transition into a logistics coordinator or operations role.

Other roles in Adelaide

Forklift Operator salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Adelaide
Adelaide (this page) $61,616 —
Melbourne $70,000 +14%
Brisbane $69,160 +12%
Sydney $68,404 +11%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.