Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $51,900 ($24.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $41,600/year and the 90th was $67,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,306 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,900$24.95 per hour · $4,325 monthly
10th Percentile$41,600$20.00/hr base
25th Percentile$47,200$22.69/hr base
75th Percentile$62,100$29.86/hr base
90th Percentile$67,400$32.40/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

$51,900
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,900
Net 82%
Fed 8%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,306After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,526Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,627Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,048 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,575 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,970 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$20.00/hr$3,467$41,600$34,484
25th Percentile$22.69/hr$3,933$47,200$38,737
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.95/hr$4,325$51,900$42,306
75th Percentile$29.86/hr$5,175$62,100$50,053
90th Percentile$32.40/hr$5,617$67,400$53,989

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$105,762Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.85.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $51,900, which equates to approximately $4,325 per month or $24.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $24.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $20.00/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.40/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $41,600 at the 10th percentile to $47,200 at the 25th, $62,100 at the 75th, and $67,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On a median gross salary of $51,900, an estimated $42,306 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,627 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,594 (an effective rate of 18.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On the median annual salary of $51,900, gross monthly income is $4,325. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,526 per month (or $1,627 every two weeks).

Is $51,900 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

At $51,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 49.1% of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO median household income ($105,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.