Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $48,000 ($23.08/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,800/year and the 90th was $58,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,668 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,000$23.08 per hour · $4,000 monthly
10th Percentile$40,800$19.62/hr base
25th Percentile$45,300$21.78/hr base
75th Percentile$50,600$24.33/hr base
90th Percentile$58,800$28.27/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

$48,000
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,000
Net 81%
Fed 7%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,668After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,222Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,487Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,580 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$2,080 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,672 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$19.62/hr$3,400$40,800$33,243
25th Percentile$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$36,634
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$38,668
75th Percentile$24.33/hr$4,217$50,600$40,627
90th Percentile$28.27/hr$4,900$58,800$46,806

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.38.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $48,000, which equates to approximately $4,000 per month or $23.08 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $23.08 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.62/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.27/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH span from $40,800 at the 10th percentile to $45,300 at the 25th, $50,600 at the 75th, and $58,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On a median gross salary of $48,000, an estimated $38,668 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,487 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,332 (an effective rate of 19.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On the median annual salary of $48,000, gross monthly income is $4,000. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,222 per month (or $1,487 every two weeks).

Is $48,000 a good salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

At $48,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 41.4% of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH median household income ($115,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.3, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.