Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $43,500 ($20.91/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,000/year and the 90th was $65,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,380 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,500$20.91 per hour · $3,625 monthly
10th Percentile$34,000$16.35/hr base
25th Percentile$39,100$18.80/hr base
75th Percentile$53,000$25.48/hr base
90th Percentile$65,400$31.44/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

$43,500
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,500
Net 81%
Fed 7%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,380After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,948Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,361Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,040 / yr
New York state income tax$1,752 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,328 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$28,260
25th Percentile$18.80/hr$3,258$39,100$32,082
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.91/hr$3,625$43,500$35,380
75th Percentile$25.48/hr$4,417$53,000$42,500
90th Percentile$31.44/hr$5,450$65,400$51,794

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio60.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $43,500, which equates to approximately $3,625 per month or $20.91 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $20.91 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.35/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.44/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $34,000 at the 10th percentile to $39,100 at the 25th, $53,000 at the 75th, and $65,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $43,500, an estimated $35,380 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,361 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,120 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $43,500, gross monthly income is $3,625. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,948 per month (or $1,361 every two weeks).

Is $43,500 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $43,500, the median salary for forklift operators is 60.2% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.