Dover, DE · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Dover, DE

In the Dover, DE metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $59,000 ($28.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,300/year and the 90th was $59,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Delaware tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $46,989 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$59,000$28.37 per hour · $4,917 monthly
10th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
25th Percentile$43,000$20.67/hr base
75th Percentile$59,000$28.37/hr base
90th Percentile$59,000$28.37/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

$59,000
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$59,000
Net 80%
Fed 8%
DE 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,989After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,916Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,807Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,900 / yr
Delaware state income tax$2,598 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,514 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DE)
10th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$30,757
25th Percentile$20.67/hr$3,583$43,000$35,021
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$28.37/hr$4,917$59,000$46,989
75th Percentile$28.37/hr$4,917$59,000$46,989
90th Percentile$28.37/hr$4,917$59,000$46,989

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Dover, DE

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$59,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,477Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.52.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio79.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Dover, DE

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Dover, DE?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Dover, DE is $59,000, which equates to approximately $4,917 per month or $28.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Dover, DE?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Dover, DE is $28.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.93/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.37/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Dover, DE?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Dover, DE span from $37,300 at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 25th, $59,000 at the 75th, and $59,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Dover, DE?

On a median gross salary of $59,000, an estimated $46,989 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,807 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Delaware in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,011 (an effective rate of 20.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Dover, DE?

On the median annual salary of $59,000, gross monthly income is $4,917. After federal, FICA, and Delaware state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,916 per month (or $1,807 every two weeks).

Is $59,000 a good salary in Dover, DE?

At $59,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 79.2% of the Dover, DE median household income ($74,477). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.5, making regional consumer goods and services 2.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.