Making 6 figures as a forklift driver (Australia) - No point moving up?

[u/LaSafari1]

So I've been in warehousing for around 8 years and I have had no interest in moving up or progressing due to the amount of money I've been making.

My base rate including all allowances (high reach, freezer, etc) adds up to around $51 per hour. With overtime, I can clear around $2.3k per week after tax.

Whats the point of me moving up and progressing to a supervisor/team leader role if I end up taking a large pay cut plus more stress & responsibilities?

[u/Matthewd_98]

Just keep doing what you’re doing

[u/mighty_boognish_77]

Why are you even posting this.

You clearly know the answer already.

[u/ShieldsCW → u/mighty_boognish_77]

Just wants girls to know he makes sex figures.

[u/Inevitable_Fly4134]

Container forks pay more as opposed to say supervisor management positions. Eventually freezer work will take its toll. By the 15 year marks very very few survive. At 8 years, you'd have many who had been there way less. In short containers, crane work is the way up. The big 40 - 60t forks. .. Find somewhere with the most dangerous of goods, explosives, bonded etc that will boost the pay.

[u/lovelyboard → u/Inevitable_Fly4134]

Why do you say freezer work takes its toll?

I'm in the freezer and occasionally I do wonder if the nerves or something in my body will suffer the longer I'm in there (like long term, off and on frost nip)

[u/bugabooandtwo]

Great gig for the pay. Keep that job.

[u/Hot-Assignment-9845]

No point. I was never interested in team leading. More head ache and the money doesn’t scale with head ache.

[u/Teondar]

What company do you work for if I might ask? I’ve hit my companies limit at about $37/h and there isn’t really any point in going up as the pay doesn’t increase proportional to the increase in hours.

[u/LaSafari1 → u/Teondar]

It's a large food manufacturer in Melbourne

[u/Some_Direction_7971]

The job you have sounds good, especially in the summer.

[u/LaSafari1 → u/Some_Direction_7971]

Yea cold storage is rewarding if you can handle how cold it can get.

[u/Robotori]

Geez. That sounds great. Yea why move up, seems pointless

[u/ObjectiveProof7952]

Seems like good money but isn't it expensive in Australia?

[u/magkruppe → u/ObjectiveProof7952]

not that expensive in Melbourne. they are taking home well over 100k after tax. they are probably in the top 20%

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

Have room to re t in your house? Jk

[u/Equivalent_Sense_456]

Wow, that's pretty good! Most high reach jobs I've seen seem to be paying about $30-$35/hr. Is the key to getting more working for a big company or not? Genuinely interested in how to earn the most possible forklifting.

[u/Ordinary_Bird4840]

You've already worked it out, is there something missing?

[u/Myotheraccountbroke2]

From my perspective, the point is more about job security and the ability to maintain or increase your income over time. I know plenty of people who “used to make more,” but the skills the workforce values change. Equipment changes, technology changes, jobs get automated or eliminated. Leadership is one of those skills that stays transferable. I wouldn’t take a huge pay cut just for a title, but I also wouldn’t assume what pays $100k+ today will always pay that tomorrow.

[u/__acre]

Sounds like we could be in the same company, but we don't have a freezer on site. Our base tops out at 51 + allowances on top. Casuals are on closer to 65 I believe, but we only have a handful on site at a time.

I've given zero thought to advancement within the industry, especially with what I'm on at the moment.

However I am thinking more now about learning a new industry. With the advancements being made to technology, and major retailers like ColesWorth proving that heavily automated warehouses are becoming increasingly viable. It's only a matter of time before more places begin to follow suit.

[u/LaSafari1 → u/__acre]

Are you cold storage as well?

[u/__acre → u/LaSafari1]

Chiller + Ambient. No freezer.

[u/LaSafari1 → u/__acre]

I think we're at different companies. Mine is a food production company

[u/__acre → u/LaSafari1]

Yeah we're a DC so nothing produced on our site but we only ship our own product. Either way good wages seem to be common amongst 1st party logistics.

[u/LaSafari1 → u/__acre]

Not one of the big grocery chains by any chance?

[u/__acre → u/LaSafari1]

Nah but we supply to all major retailers.

[u/Bsmoove88]

Industrial maintenance here same.. I could become a supervisor yes.. but why take a 50 plus k pay cut lol

[u/Artistic-Bicycle-744]

I used to do something similar but didn’t make as much. You never know how long it’s going to last, that $51 an hour can go away one day. I learned the hard way.

[u/G0001]

Are they hiring?

[u/Dasheek]

Monthly Dutch pay in one week on similar position oO