Champaign-Urbana, IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL

In the Champaign-Urbana, IL metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $44,300 ($21.30/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,200/year and the 90th was $58,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,727 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,300$21.30 per hour · $3,692 monthly
10th Percentile$35,200$16.92/hr base
25th Percentile$39,700$19.09/hr base
75th Percentile$53,400$25.67/hr base
90th Percentile$58,600$28.17/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

$44,300
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,300
Net 81%
Fed 7%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,727After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,977Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,374Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,136 / yr
Illinois state income tax$2,048 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,389 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Champaign-Urbana, 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 Champaign-Urbana, IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$16.92/hr$2,933$35,200$28,866
25th Percentile$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$32,259
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$35,727
75th Percentile$25.67/hr$4,450$53,400$42,588
90th Percentile$28.17/hr$4,883$58,600$46,509

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Champaign-Urbana, IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,528Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.77.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio67.6%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 Champaign-Urbana, IL

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $44,300, which equates to approximately $3,692 per month or $21.30 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $21.30 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.92/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.17/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Champaign-Urbana, IL span from $35,200 at the 10th percentile to $39,700 at the 25th, $53,400 at the 75th, and $58,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

On a median gross salary of $44,300, an estimated $35,727 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,374 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,573 (an effective rate of 19.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

On the median annual salary of $44,300, gross monthly income is $3,692. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,977 per month (or $1,374 every two weeks).

Is $44,300 a good salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

At $44,300, the median salary for forklift operators is 67.6% of the Champaign-Urbana, IL median household income ($65,528). 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.