Albuquerque, NM · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Albuquerque, NM

In the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $64,400 ($30.96/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $67,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Mexico tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $52,048 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$64,400$30.96 per hour · $5,367 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$41,300$19.86/hr base
75th Percentile$64,400$30.96/hr base
90th Percentile$67,400$32.40/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

$64,400
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,400
Net 81%
Fed 9%
NM 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,048After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,337Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,002Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,548 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,878 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,927 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Albuquerque, NM

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 Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NM)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,423
25th Percentile$19.86/hr$3,442$41,300$34,541
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$30.96/hr$5,367$64,400$52,048
75th Percentile$30.96/hr$5,367$64,400$52,048
90th Percentile$32.40/hr$5,617$67,400$54,227

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Albuquerque, NM

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$64,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,783Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.54.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio91%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Mexico:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Albuquerque, NM

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM is $64,400, which equates to approximately $5,367 per month or $30.96 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM is $30.96 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.40/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Albuquerque, NM span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $41,300 at the 25th, $64,400 at the 75th, and $67,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Albuquerque, NM?

On a median gross salary of $64,400, an estimated $52,048 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,002 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Mexico in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,352 (an effective rate of 19.2%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Albuquerque, NM?

On the median annual salary of $64,400, gross monthly income is $5,367. After federal, FICA, and New Mexico state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,337 per month (or $2,002 every two weeks).

Is $64,400 a good salary in Albuquerque, NM?

At $64,400, the median salary for forklift operators is 91% of the Albuquerque, NM median household income ($70,783). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.