Columbus, GA-AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $45,100 ($21.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,500/year and the 90th was $61,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,564 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,100$21.68 per hour · $3,758 monthly
10th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
25th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
75th Percentile$51,300$24.66/hr base
90th Percentile$61,100$29.38/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

$45,100
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,100
Net 81%
Fed 7%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,564After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,047Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,406Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,232 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,853 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,450 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Columbus, GA-AL

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 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$27,759
25th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$30,792
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$36,564
75th Percentile$24.66/hr$4,275$51,300$41,273
90th Percentile$29.38/hr$5,092$61,100$48,716

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, GA-AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$59,336Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.310.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio76%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Columbus, GA-AL

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL is $45,100, which equates to approximately $3,758 per month or $21.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL is $21.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.38/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Columbus, GA-AL span from $33,500 at the 10th percentile to $37,500 at the 25th, $51,300 at the 75th, and $61,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Columbus, GA-AL?

On a median gross salary of $45,100, an estimated $36,564 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,406 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,536 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Columbus, GA-AL?

On the median annual salary of $45,100, gross monthly income is $3,758. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,047 per month (or $1,406 every two weeks).

Is $45,100 a good salary in Columbus, GA-AL?

At $45,100, the median salary for forklift operators is 76% of the Columbus, GA-AL median household income ($59,336). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.3, making regional consumer goods and services 10.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.