Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $44,900 ($21.59/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $57,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,974 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,900$21.59 per hour · $3,742 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$39,400$18.94/hr base
75th Percentile$49,100$23.61/hr base
90th Percentile$57,900$27.84/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

$44,900
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,900
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,974After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,081Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,422Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,208 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,283 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,435 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,095
25th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,775
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.59/hr$3,742$44,900$36,974
75th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$40,181
90th Percentile$27.84/hr$4,825$57,900$46,901

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $44,900, which equates to approximately $3,742 per month or $21.59 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $21.59 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.84/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $39,400 at the 25th, $49,100 at the 75th, and $57,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $44,900, an estimated $36,974 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,422 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,926 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $44,900, gross monthly income is $3,742. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,081 per month (or $1,422 every two weeks).

Is $44,900 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $44,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 53.8% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.