Appleton, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Appleton, WI

In the Appleton, WI metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,900 ($22.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,300/year and the 90th was $61,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,440 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,900$22.55 per hour · $3,908 monthly
10th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
25th Percentile$43,300$20.82/hr base
75th Percentile$57,200$27.50/hr base
90th Percentile$61,800$29.71/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

$46,900
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,900
Net 82%
Fed 7%
WI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,440After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,203Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,478Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,448 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$1,424 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,588 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Appleton, WI

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 Appleton, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,954
25th Percentile$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,725
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$38,440
75th Percentile$27.50/hr$4,767$57,200$46,209
90th Percentile$29.71/hr$5,150$61,800$49,676

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Appleton, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,825Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.47.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Appleton, WI

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Appleton, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Appleton, WI is $46,900, which equates to approximately $3,908 per month or $22.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Appleton, WI?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Appleton, WI is $22.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.41/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.71/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Appleton, WI?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Appleton, WI span from $38,300 at the 10th percentile to $43,300 at the 25th, $57,200 at the 75th, and $61,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Appleton, WI?

On a median gross salary of $46,900, an estimated $38,440 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,478 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,460 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Appleton, WI?

On the median annual salary of $46,900, gross monthly income is $3,908. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,203 per month (or $1,478 every two weeks).

Is $46,900 a good salary in Appleton, WI?

At $46,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 54.6% of the Appleton, WI median household income ($85,825). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.4, making regional consumer goods and services 7.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.