Chattanooga, TN-GA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $41,000 ($19.71/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,900/year and the 90th was $56,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Georgia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,826 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,000$19.71 per hour · $3,417 monthly
10th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
25th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
75th Percentile$45,600$21.92/hr base
90th Percentile$56,900$27.36/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

$41,000
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,000
Net 83%
Fed 7%
GA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,826After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,819Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,301Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,740 / yr
Georgia state income tax$1,297 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,137 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Chattanooga, TN-GA

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 Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (GA)
10th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,229
25th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,133
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.71/hr$3,417$41,000$33,826
75th Percentile$21.92/hr$3,800$45,600$37,293
90th Percentile$27.36/hr$4,742$56,900$45,808

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chattanooga, TN-GA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,161Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.58.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Chattanooga, TN-GA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $41,000, which equates to approximately $3,417 per month or $19.71 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $19.71 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.78/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.36/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA span from $34,900 at the 10th percentile to $36,100 at the 25th, $45,600 at the 75th, and $56,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

On a median gross salary of $41,000, an estimated $33,826 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,301 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,174 (an effective rate of 17.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

On the median annual salary of $41,000, gross monthly income is $3,417. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,819 per month (or $1,301 every two weeks).

Is $41,000 a good salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

At $41,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 56.8% of the Chattanooga, TN-GA median household income ($72,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.5, making regional consumer goods and services 8.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.