How Much Do Warehouse & Forklift Jobs Pay in Shreveport & East Texas?
Short answer: in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, warehouse and material-moving jobs pay a median of about $16.81 an hour, while forklift operators earn a median of about $24.64 an hour (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Pay varies by employer, shift, and experience, but here's what the numbers look like across our region.
Warehouse and material-moving jobs
Median hourly pay for laborers and material movers is about $16.81 in the Shreveport area, $18.07 in the Longview area, and $20.86 in the Tyler area (BLS, May 2025). These are among the most common entry-level roles, and many lead to permanent positions.
Forklift operators
Operating equipment pays more. Forklift (industrial truck) operators earn a median of about $24.64 an hour in the Shreveport area, $20.62 in Longview, and $19.11 in Tyler. The good news: many employers train and certify operators on-site, so you often don't need to pay for a certification before you apply. Learn how it works in our forklift and OSHA certification guide.
Production, assembly, and skilled trades
Assemblers and fabricators earn a median of roughly $18 to $22 an hour depending on the metro, and welders earn a median from about $20.72 in the Tyler area up to $30.58 in the Shreveport area. Skilled trades reward experience and certifications.
Office and clerical jobs
Office clerks earn a median of roughly $16 to $18 an hour, administrative assistants about $18.55 to $20.10, and customer service representatives around $17.52 to $18.20 across the three metros (BLS, May 2025).
How to earn more
- Add a skill. Roles that use equipment or a trade, like forklift or welding, pay more per hour.
- Compare offers. See the full table in our local pay guide, and don't settle below the median without a reason.
- Think take-home. Your hourly rate isn't what lands in your account. Estimate it with the paycheck calculator.
Want a job that pays well near you? Browse current openings across Shreveport and East Texas, or apply in about two minutes. It's free, and you're paid weekly.
Wage figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metro-area medians across all employers. These are market references, not 1st Choice Personnel pay rates.
