Forklift License in Alaska: Cost of Taking the Training & Salary

If you operate forklift you probably know that you need to have prior safety training as mandated by law. OSHA does require forklift operators be certified in the safe operation of this type of equipment.

The piece certificate that will be given to you after successfully taking the course is proof that you had completed such training – they called it a forklift license.

Obtaining forklift license in Alaska takes just a small amount of time and investment. You can be certified in just as little as a day with just $50 in your pocket.

Once you have been certified, your license is good for the entire three (3) years and it is acceptable anywhere else in the US and across companies.

Don’t hesitate, take action now.

Here, we prepared the list of training schools in Alaska and the steps you need to take in order to get you on track.

Read on…

(If you are searching for a career as a forklift operator. these guides can help you on your journey:)

• Finding Jobs as Forklift Operator with No Prior Experience
• Is Operating Forklifts the Right Job For You?
• How to Turn Your Job into a Lifetime Career?
• Shifting to Another Job as Forklift Driver 
• What You Need to Know When Choosing Your Career?
• When to Shift to a New Job? 
  

How to Get a Forklift License

1. Comply with the requirements. The minimum requirements to take the certification course: the students must be at least 18 years and above, a high school graduate or completed GED certificate, must be physically fit.
   
   

2. Contact a certified trainer or accredited schools that provide a certification course. The course usually takes 1-2 days. Refer to the below list of training schools in Alaska.  

3. Attend the classroom training. Like all other forms of training, you have to undergo lectures. The trainer will discuss topics about safety, current regulations and standards, OSHA rules and regulations, hazard analysis, risk coverage, emergency preparation, basic first aid, load calculation, hazardous material handling, warehouse inventory, and other subjects that may be deemed necessary.

4. Take the written test. At the end of the lectures, students will have to pass a written examination. The passing rate is 80% but it may vary depending on the school. The goal of the written test is to measure the theoretical knowledge you gained from the lectures. 

5. Take the practice driving. The trainer will do the practical training and you will do the exercise, you just have to simulate what he's doing. During practice, you will learn operational skills such as loading/unloading of loads, transporting loads, operation on an incline, picking laden pallet, using of extension, storing of a pallet on the rack, physical equipment inspection, basic repair and troubleshooting, and many other topics.

6. Get evaluated. After taking the practice driving and learning how to handle the forklift, your performance skill will be assessed. The instructor will give you a set of instructions to do. It is easy, there's nothing to worry. The evaluation is almost basically the same as you did in the practice driving. 
   
   
7. Upon completion of the course and successful assessment, you will be given a certificate and/or operator card. You can take the certification with you when applying for a forklift driver job, certainly, you will have an edge getting hired over other candidates.

If you are an employer who desires training for workers, the certification course can be conducted at your premise, the trainer can conduct on-site training. This is ideal because the curriculum can be modified to match the skill level of the operators and the setup of the workplace.

READ these guides to assist you in taking the required forklift training:

• How to Become OSHA Certified?
• Where You Can Go to Get Trained and Certified Operating the Forklifts?
• 8 Mindful Tips to Help You Choose Forklift Training School
• Requirements Forklift Operators Must Have Before Taking a Training Course
• How Much Does It Cost to Become OSHA Certified?
• How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?
• How to Renew the Forklift Certification?
  
• Is Online Certification Right For You?
• When to Take Retraining?
• Fines and Penalties
• What are Your Job Descriptions and Responsibilities as a Forklift Operator?

Forklift Training Schools in Alaska

If you are looking for a forklift training school in Alaska where you want to take the course from, here are they::

• All Pro Alaska Forklift
  380 E. 54Th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518
  Contact: 907-338-5438
  
  
• Environmental Management, Inc.
  206 East Fireweed Lane, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99503
  Phone 907.272.9336, Fax 907.272.4159
  
  
• Lynden Training Center
  4325 Cinch Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
  Toll Free: 1-800-478-4355, Fax: 206-988-0077
  
  
• Independent Lift Truck Of Alaska, Inc.
  Anchorage, AK1200 W. 70th, Anchorage, AK 99518
  2105 A Frank Albert Rd, Fife, WA 98424
  Contact: (907) 344-3383, 907-331-6276
  1200 East 70th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, 99518
  Phone:(907) 344-3383
  
  
• Alaska Laborers Training School
  2121 Kiana Street, Fairbanks, AK, 99709
  Phone: (907)345-3853
  
  
• Raymond West Intralogistics Solutions
  801 E. 82nd Avenue #E5, Anchorage, AK 99516
  Phone: (907) 349-0334
  
  
• Alaska Works Partnership
  161 Klevin St., Suites 203, 204 & 207, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
  Phone: (907) 569-4711
  3580 Cartwright Court, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
  Phone: (907) 457-2597
  
  
• Industrial Training International
  5811 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage, Alaska 99518
  Phone: 800.727.6355, Fax:360.225.1122
  
  
• Northern Industrial Training, LLC.
  3201 C Street Suite 308, Anchorage, AK 99503
  Phone: 907.743.7700, Fax: 907.743.7721
  1740 N. Terrilou Ct., Palmer, AK 99645
  Phone: 907.357.6400, Fax: 907.357.6430
• Kenco Toyota-Lift Inc.
  9600 Madison Blvd.
  (256) 464-6462
  5255 Wilson Dam Road
  (256) 383-5006

Forklift Certification Cost

The school usually accepts company-sponsored or walk-in students.

To name a few, here are some of the best forklift training schools in Alaska: US Forklift Certification, Alaska Warehouse Specialist, Inc., IVES Training Group.

I take for example of IVES Training Group; they can provide certification course in many parts of Alaska, whether you’re in Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage, Bethel, Kodiak, Wasilla, Ketchikan, Kenai, Sitka or anywhere in Alaska, conducting the training program at employer’s site location tends to cost more.

For an absolute beginner, taking 1-2 day training program could cost you around $50 to $100 to attend the course. The recertification and the online class tend to cost a little less.

Forklift Operators in Alaska: Skills and Job Outlook

If you're interested in becoming a forklift operator in Alaska, there are a few key skills and qualifications you'll need to have. These include:

• Forklift certification: In order to operate a forklift legally in Alaska, you'll need to have a forklift certification from an accredited training program. This certification will demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to operate the equipment safely and effectively.
  
  
• Physical strength and stamina: Forklift operators need to be able to lift and move heavy objects throughout the day, so having good physical strength and stamina is essential.
  
  
• Attention to detail: Forklift operators need to be able to pay close attention to their surroundings and avoid collisions with other workers, equipment, and obstacles.
  
  
• Communication skills: Forklift operators need to be able to communicate effectively with other workers and supervisors to ensure that materials are moved to the right location at the right time.
  
  
• Flexibility: Forklift operators may need to work different shifts or in different locations depending on the needs of their employer, so being flexible is important.

In terms of job outlook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of material moving machine operators, including forklift operators, is projected to grow by 3% from 2020 to 2030 in the United States. In Alaska, forklift operators can expect to earn an average hourly wage of around $18 to $25, depending on their experience and location.

Forklift Operator Salary in Alaska

According to Salary.com, as of February 27, 2023, the average salary of forklift operators working in this state averages $45,536. Depending on the skills and experience of an invidiual, the salary may stretch from $40,724 to $51,900.

Here are the different cities of Alaska that offer better pay:

The demand for forklift operators in the state of Alaska is huge. You can expect long-term employment and a good outlook in the next coming years. But remember you need to have the certification in order to get a better edge over other job candidates

Do You Know How Much An Operator Makes (by city and state)? Alaska is the highest paying state for forklift operators. To check the salary of other states and cities, check this out:

• Salary of Forklift Operators by State/City
  

 Governing Agencies

For rules and regulation about workplace safety, you may contact the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA Alaska https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/stateprogs/alaska.html.

You can personally visit the DOL at this address:

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1111 W. 8th Street, Room 304
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1149
(907) 465-2700

Municipalities of AK

Anchorage, municipality, Fairbanks, Juneau, and, borough, Sitka and borough, Ketchikan, Wasilla, Kenai, Kodiak, Bethel, Palmer, Homer, Unalaska, Barrow, Soldotna, Valdez, Nome, Kotzebue, Petersburg, Seward, Wrangelland, borough, Dillingham, Cordova, North, Pole, Houston, Craig, Hooper Bay, Akutan, Sand, Point, Delta, Junction, Chevak, King, Cove, Selawik, Togiak, Mountain, Village, Emmonak, Hoonah, Klawock, Kwethluk, Unalakleet, Gambell, Alakanuk, Point, Hope, Savoonga, Quinhagak, Noorvik, Toksook, Bay, Fort, Yukon, Kotlik, Pilot, Station, Shishmaref, Kake, Stebbins, Wainwright, New, Stuyahok, St., Mary's, Aniak, Nunapitchuk, St., Paul, Scammon, Bay, Thorne, Bay, Galena, Angoon, Gustavus, Manokotak, Chefornak, Buckland, Marshall, Saxman, Napaskiak, Nuiqsut, St.Michael,