ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Top Pick Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Interstate Waste Services

Laborer Leachate

Amsterdam, OH · On-site

$22.33/hr

... operating a Top Pick/Container Lifter/Reacher-Stacker. · Experience from the sanitation industry is strongly preferred. · Able to work in an outdoor environment on a constant basis while being ...

Interstate Waste Services

Laborer Leachate

Amsterdam, OH · On-site

$22.33/hr

... operating a Top Pick/Container Lifter/Reacher-Stacker. · Experience from the sanitation industry is strongly preferred. · Able to work in an outdoor environment on a constant basis while being ...

Holt Logistics Corp.

Warehouse Supervisor

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$19 - $27/hr

Train warehouse personnel in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices * Manage ... top pick, etc.) * Ability to complete equipment inspections and safely operate trucks for material ...

Interstate Waste Services

Laborer Leachate

Amsterdam, OH · On-site

$22.33/hr

... operating a Top Pick/Container Lifter/Reacher-Stacker. · Experience from the sanitation industry is strongly preferred. · Able to work in an outdoor environment on a constant basis while being ...

Interstate Waste Services

Laborer Leachate

Amsterdam, OH · On-site

$22.33/hr

... operating a Top Pick/Container Lifter/Reacher-Stacker. • Experience from the sanitation industry is strongly preferred. • Able to work in an outdoor environment on a constant basis while being ...

Interstate Waste Services

Laborer Leachate

Amsterdam, OH · On-site

$22.33/hr

... operating a Top Pick/Container Lifter/Reacher-Stacker. · Experience from the sanitation industry is strongly preferred. · Able to work in an outdoor environment on a constant basis while being ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsTransportation And Storage JobsWarehousing JobsWarehouse Associate JobsTop Pick Operator Jobs

Top Pick Operator information

See salary details

$12

$17

$21

How much do top pick operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for top pick operator in the United States is $17.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a top pick operator?

Top Pick Operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy machinery known as top picks, which are specialized forklifts or cranes designed to lift and move large shipping containers in ports, rail yards, or warehouses. Their main duties include safely loading, unloading, stacking, and organizing containers to facilitate cargo handling and logistics operations. Top Pick Operators must have a strong understanding of equipment controls, safety protocols, and efficient workflow processes to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations. This role often requires certification and experience in operating heavy equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a top pick operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Top Pick Operator, you need a solid understanding of heavy machinery operation, equipment safety, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent with relevant equipment operator certifications. Familiarity with operating top pick container handlers, routine maintenance procedures, and sometimes computerized inventory or logistics systems is essential. Strong attention to detail, spatial awareness, and effective communication skills help ensure safe and efficient operations. These abilities are vital for preventing accidents, minimizing downtime, and ensuring smooth movement of cargo containers in busy port or warehouse environments.

What are some common challenges a top pick operator faces during a typical shift?

Top Pick Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, handling large and heavy equipment safely, and managing tight schedules in fast-paced environments like ports or warehouses. They must stay alert to avoid accidents and ensure efficient movement of containers or heavy loads. Effective communication with team members and supervisors is crucial for coordinating tasks and minimizing downtime. Adapting to new equipment or technologies may also be required as operations evolve.

What is the difference between Top Pick Operator vs Equipment Operator?

AspectTop Pick OperatorEquipment Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, specialized certificationsHigh school diploma, equipment operation licenses
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, industrial plantsConstruction sites, factories, outdoor settings
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, miningConstruction, logistics, manufacturing
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for job responsibilities and certificationsRelated but more focused on specific machinery

The Top Pick Operator and Equipment Operator roles share similar work environments and industry usage, often requiring certifications related to machinery operation. However, the Top Pick Operator typically has broader responsibilities, possibly overseeing multiple equipment types or operations, while Equipment Operators focus on specific machinery. Both roles are essential in construction and industrial sectors, with the Top Pick Operator often seen as a more advanced or supervisory position.

Which top pick operator job pays the most?

Top pick operator jobs in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and construction tend to offer higher salaries, especially for roles requiring specialized skills or certifications like forklift or heavy equipment operation. Generally, operators of complex machinery or those with extensive experience and safety training earn the highest wages in this field.

What cities are hiring for Top Pick Operator jobs?

Cities with the most Top Pick Operator job openings:

What states have the most Top Pick Operator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Top Pick Operator jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Top Pick Operator jobs?

For Top Pick Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Top Pick Operator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,379 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Cherry Picker, High Reach Forklift Operator

Richmond, VA • On-site

Kelly Services
See more jobs at Kelly Servicesexternal

$19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Operate warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts, and push carts.

  • Receive, store, select, pack, and palletize shipments, including sorting and packing less-than-truckload shipments and conducting cycle counts.

  • Maintain a clean warehouse environment by following safety procedures and performing daily safety inspections.

Job description

Kelly Services is seeking a qualified Cherry Picker Operator / Order Selector to work with one of our clients in Richmond, VA.

If interested, please watch the video included in this listing.  If you have at least 6 months of experience driving a Cherry Picker like the one showcased in the video & want to join us, please Apply Here and a recruiter will reach out to you shortly.

POTENTIAL SHIFTS:

  • 1st shift - Monday thru Friday 10am-7pm - $19 per hour
  • 1st shift - Monday thru Friday 12pm-9pm - $19 per hour
  • Let us know which shift you prefer
  • Weekly Pay every Friday!

In this role you will:
  • Operate warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts and push carts
  • Receive and store incoming material in accordance with warehouse management system process
  • Select, pack and palletize shipments
  • Sort and pack less-than-truckload shipments, conduct cycle counts
  • Maintain clean warehouse including following all safety procedures and performing daily safety inspections
 
What you bring to the table:
  • No fear of heights
  • Perform physical requirements in a warehouse environment including lifting various loads, cutting wire, climbing ladders and staying on the move in various temperatures, depending on the location; must pass pre-employment physical testing
  • Minimum 18 years of age required
  • Good attendance and work ethic
  • 2+ years experience preferred
  • Prior large warehouse experience using a warehouse management system preferred

 Must have 6 months of recent Cherry Picker / Stand-Up (Reach Truck) Hilo driving experience to be considered.  Cherry Picker Certified Preferred.

The following video provide an example of the Cherry Picker that we utilize at the work site:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77JCcbYGwOs
This is an "IMMEDIATE HIRE POSITION," that should only be pursued by those looking to start a new job within a week or 2 of applying to this listing.

Requires registering with Kelly Services and passing both a drug test and background check.  We will get you started immediately after a satisfactory background check is returned.


As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly®.

You’re looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we’re here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.