Boulder, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Boulder, CO

In the Boulder, CO metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $51,600 ($24.81/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $41,400/year and the 90th was $67,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,079 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,600$24.81 per hour · $4,300 monthly
10th Percentile$41,400$19.90/hr base
25th Percentile$46,900$22.55/hr base
75th Percentile$61,800$29.71/hr base
90th Percentile$67,000$32.21/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

$51,600
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,600
Net 82%
Fed 8%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,079After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,507Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,618Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,012 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,562 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,947 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Boulder, CO

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 Boulder, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$19.90/hr$3,450$41,400$34,332
25th Percentile$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$38,509
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.81/hr$4,300$51,600$42,079
75th Percentile$29.71/hr$5,150$61,800$49,826
90th Percentile$32.21/hr$5,583$67,000$53,725

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boulder, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$103,994Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.25.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Boulder, CO

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Boulder, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Boulder, CO is $51,600, which equates to approximately $4,300 per month or $24.81 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Boulder, CO?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Boulder, CO is $24.81 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.90/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.21/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Boulder, CO?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Boulder, CO span from $41,400 at the 10th percentile to $46,900 at the 25th, $61,800 at the 75th, and $67,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Boulder, CO?

On a median gross salary of $51,600, an estimated $42,079 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,618 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,521 (an effective rate of 18.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Boulder, CO?

On the median annual salary of $51,600, gross monthly income is $4,300. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,507 per month (or $1,618 every two weeks).

Is $51,600 a good salary in Boulder, CO?

At $51,600, the median salary for forklift operators is 49.6% of the Boulder, CO median household income ($103,994). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.2, making regional consumer goods and services 5.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.