Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

In the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $43,000 ($20.67/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,200/year and the 90th was $57,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,072 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,000$20.67 per hour · $3,583 monthly
10th Percentile$34,200$16.44/hr base
25th Percentile$38,900$18.70/hr base
75th Percentile$49,900$23.99/hr base
90th Percentile$57,100$27.45/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

$43,000
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,000
Net 82%
Fed 7%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,072After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,923Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,349Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,980 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,658 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,290 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

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 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$28,507
25th Percentile$18.70/hr$3,242$38,900$32,014
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.67/hr$3,583$43,000$35,072
75th Percentile$23.99/hr$4,158$49,900$40,220
90th Percentile$27.45/hr$4,758$57,100$45,591

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,839Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.77.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio65.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is $43,000, which equates to approximately $3,583 per month or $20.67 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is $20.67 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.44/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.45/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA span from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $38,900 at the 25th, $49,900 at the 75th, and $57,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

On a median gross salary of $43,000, an estimated $35,072 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,349 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,928 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

On the median annual salary of $43,000, gross monthly income is $3,583. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,923 per month (or $1,349 every two weeks).

Is $43,000 a good salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

At $43,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 65.3% of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA median household income ($65,839). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.7, making regional consumer goods and services 7.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.