Forklift Technician Jobs in Illinois
Forklift Technician jobs in Illinois are concentrated in the Chicago metro, Joliet, and Elgin, where large distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and third-party logistics operators keep demand steady across experience levels from entry-level shop technicians to lead maintenance specialists. Toyota Industries, NACCO Materials Handling, and Amazon Logistics all maintain significant operations in Illinois and hire forklift technicians on a recurring basis. The most in-demand specialties are electric forklift repair, hydraulic systems diagnostics, and preventive maintenance for high-throughput warehouse fleets. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Illinois Lift Equipment, one of the nations largest used equipment dealers is currently looking for an experienced, safety conscious, motivated team player to join our staff as a full-time mechanic.
Duties include:
Troubleshooting, diagnose and repair all makes and models of forklifts, telehandlers, boom lifts, scissors lifts, electric forklifts.
Hydraulic systems
Preventative maintenance
Gas, L.P. and Diesel Fuel Systems
Steering systems
Braking systems
Electrical systems
Other required skills:
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Maintain and organize work space
Ability to do required paperwork proficiently, legibly and in a timely manner
Supply own tools
Our company offers competitive wages and excellent benefits including:
Paid uniforms
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Paid Sick time
Health insurance
Simple IRA
Monthly Performance Team Bonus
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Ability to Commute:
- Cary, IL 60013 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- Cary, IL 60013: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 13 Forklift Technician Jobs in Illinois
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Find Forklift Technician JobsForklift Technician Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Forklift Technician Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in forklift technician jobs across Illinois.
- Forklift technician certification from OSHA or an OSHA-recognized training provider required
- Two or more years of hands-on forklift or industrial lift equipment repair experience
- Proficiency diagnosing and servicing electric, propane, and internal combustion forklifts
- Ability to read and interpret hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic schematics
- Valid Illinois driver's license for operating vehicles on employer premises
- Completion of a vocational or technical program in diesel, automotive, or industrial mechanics
Forklift Technician Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a forklift technician in Illinois?
Most forklift technicians in Illinois enter through a vocational or community college program in diesel technology, industrial mechanics, or electromechanical systems, with City Colleges of Chicago, Heartland Community College, and Illinois Central College offering relevant certificates. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for forklift technician work, but employers consistently expect OSHA forklift operator certification and manufacturer-specific training from brands such as Toyota, Crown, or Hyster.
Which companies hire forklift technicians in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring forklift technicians in Illinois include Crown Equipment, Wiese USA, and SourceOne, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of distribution and manufacturing facilities along the I-55 and I-80 corridors means large logistics operators and industrial equipment dealers post openings on a near-continuous basis.
Which Illinois cities have the most forklift technician jobs?
Cary, Peru, and Zion account for the largest share of forklift technician openings in Illinois. Chicago drives volume through its industrial districts and intermodal freight hubs, while Joliet and Elgin anchor significant demand because of the major fulfillment centers and automotive parts manufacturers that have built out along their respective highway corridors.
Are there remote forklift technician jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Forklift technician work is fundamentally hands-on and requires physical access to equipment, so remote arrangements apply only to a narrow slice of the field. About 0% of forklift technician openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings typically involve technical support, parts procurement, or service coordination roles rather than direct repair work.
How can I get hired as a forklift technician in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is enrolling in a certificate program at City Colleges of Chicago or Illinois Central College, then applying for a shop technician apprenticeship or junior service technician role at a forklift dealership such as a local Toyota or Crown distributor. Candidates who come from automotive maintenance, industrial maintenance helper, or warehouse equipment operator roles often transition successfully, and holding a current OSHA forklift operator card gives applicants a concrete credential that offsets limited repair experience.
Where can I find and apply to forklift technician jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to forklift technician jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, certifications, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 13 Forklift Technician Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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