Forklift operators are in high demand in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

According to a report in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, one jobs website lists 250 forklift driver vacancies in the area, while other sites have roughly 200 jobs. 

The report quotes a local recruiter saying in-demand forklift drivers can earn at least USD20 an hour – up from around USD16 before the pandemic.

Even the acceleration of automation is not curbing demand for drivers, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating that the sector will add 53,100 jobs by 2030.

“Some warehouses are using automated machinery to improve their operations and increase efficiency. However, industrial truck and tractor operators will be needed in warehouses as more consumers choose to purchase products online,” the report notes.

The Argus Leader report also points out that entry barriers for drivers are low, with many operators trained on the job in less than a month.