Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $44,800 ($21.54/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,100/year and the 90th was $57,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,898 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,800$21.54 per hour · $3,733 monthly
10th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
25th Percentile$39,300$18.89/hr base
75th Percentile$49,000$23.56/hr base
90th Percentile$57,800$27.79/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

$44,800
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,800
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,898After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,075Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,419Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,196 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,279 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,427 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,018
25th Percentile$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$32,698
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$36,898
75th Percentile$23.56/hr$4,083$49,000$40,105
90th Percentile$27.79/hr$4,817$57,800$46,825

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,304Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio53.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $44,800, which equates to approximately $3,733 per month or $21.54 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $21.54 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.79/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC span from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $39,300 at the 25th, $49,000 at the 75th, and $57,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On a median gross salary of $44,800, an estimated $36,898 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,419 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,902 (an effective rate of 17.6%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On the median annual salary of $44,800, gross monthly income is $3,733. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,075 per month (or $1,419 every two weeks).

Is $44,800 a good salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

At $44,800, the median salary for forklift operators is 53.8% of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC median household income ($83,304). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.