Cape Girardeau, MO-IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

In the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $41,100 ($19.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,700/year and the 90th was $54,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,314 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,100$19.76 per hour · $3,425 monthly
10th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
25th Percentile$36,900$17.74/hr base
75th Percentile$49,600$23.85/hr base
90th Percentile$54,400$26.15/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

$41,100
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,100
Net 81%
Fed 7%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,314After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,776Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,281Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,752 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,890 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,144 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$26,981
25th Percentile$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$30,147
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.76/hr$3,425$41,100$33,314
75th Percentile$23.85/hr$4,133$49,600$39,723
90th Percentile$26.15/hr$4,533$54,400$43,342

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,759Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.113.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $41,100, which equates to approximately $3,425 per month or $19.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL is $19.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.72/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.15/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL span from $32,700 at the 10th percentile to $36,900 at the 25th, $49,600 at the 75th, and $54,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On a median gross salary of $41,100, an estimated $33,314 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,281 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,786 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

On the median annual salary of $41,100, gross monthly income is $3,425. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,776 per month (or $1,281 every two weeks).

Is $41,100 a good salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?

At $41,100, the median salary for forklift operators is 61.6% of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL median household income ($66,759). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.1, making regional consumer goods and services 13.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.