Abilene, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Abilene, TX

In the Abilene, TX metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $42,300 ($20.34/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,900/year and the 90th was $55,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,168 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,300$20.34 per hour · $3,525 monthly
10th Percentile$31,900$15.34/hr base
25th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
75th Percentile$46,200$22.21/hr base
90th Percentile$55,700$26.78/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$42,300
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,300
Net 86%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,168After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,014Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,391Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,896 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,236 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Abilene, TX

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Abilene, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$15.34/hr$2,658$31,900$27,812
25th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$30,383
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.34/hr$3,525$42,300$36,168
75th Percentile$22.21/hr$3,850$46,200$39,302
90th Percentile$26.78/hr$4,642$55,700$46,935

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Abilene, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$67,328Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.49.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio62.8%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Texas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Abilene, TX

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Abilene, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Abilene, TX is $42,300, which equates to approximately $3,525 per month or $20.34 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Abilene, TX?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Abilene, TX is $20.34 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.34/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.78/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Abilene, TX?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Abilene, TX span from $31,900 at the 10th percentile to $35,100 at the 25th, $46,200 at the 75th, and $55,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Abilene, TX?

On a median gross salary of $42,300, an estimated $36,168 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,391 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,132 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Abilene, TX?

On the median annual salary of $42,300, gross monthly income is $3,525. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,014 per month (or $1,391 every two weeks).

Is $42,300 a good salary in Abilene, TX?

At $42,300, the median salary for forklift operators is 62.8% of the Abilene, TX median household income ($67,328). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.4, making regional consumer goods and services 9.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.