Charleston-North Charleston, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $47,000 ($22.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,500/year and the 90th was $61,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,144 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,000$22.60 per hour · $3,917 monthly
10th Percentile$38,500$18.51/hr base
25th Percentile$41,400$19.90/hr base
75th Percentile$51,300$24.66/hr base
90th Percentile$61,400$29.52/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

$47,000
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,000
Net 83%
Fed 7%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,144After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,262Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,506Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,460 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$800 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,596 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$32,647
25th Percentile$19.90/hr$3,450$41,400$34,912
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.60/hr$3,917$47,000$39,144
75th Percentile$24.66/hr$4,275$51,300$42,314
90th Percentile$29.52/hr$5,117$61,400$49,760

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,254Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.01% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio55.1%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $47,000, which equates to approximately $3,917 per month or $22.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $22.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.51/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.52/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC span from $38,500 at the 10th percentile to $41,400 at the 25th, $51,300 at the 75th, and $61,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On a median gross salary of $47,000, an estimated $39,144 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,506 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,856 (an effective rate of 16.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On the median annual salary of $47,000, gross monthly income is $3,917. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,262 per month (or $1,506 every two weeks).

Is $47,000 a good salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

At $47,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 55.1% of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC median household income ($85,254). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.0, making regional consumer goods and services 1% more expensive than the U.S. average.