Elkhart-Goshen, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Elkhart-Goshen, IN

In the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $44,200 ($21.25/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $59,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,420 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,200$21.25 per hour · $3,683 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
75th Percentile$49,700$23.89/hr base
90th Percentile$59,600$28.65/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

$44,200
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,200
Net 82%
Fed 7%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,420After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,035Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,401Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,124 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,274 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,381 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Elkhart-Goshen, IN

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 Elkhart-Goshen, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,151
25th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,550
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.25/hr$3,683$44,200$36,420
75th Percentile$23.89/hr$4,142$49,700$40,677
90th Percentile$28.65/hr$4,967$59,600$48,340

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Elkhart-Goshen, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,561Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.39.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio64.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Elkhart-Goshen, IN

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN is $44,200, which equates to approximately $3,683 per month or $21.25 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN is $21.25 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.65/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Elkhart-Goshen, IN span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $39,200 at the 25th, $49,700 at the 75th, and $59,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

On a median gross salary of $44,200, an estimated $36,420 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,401 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,780 (an effective rate of 17.6%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

On the median annual salary of $44,200, gross monthly income is $3,683. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,035 per month (or $1,401 every two weeks).

Is $44,200 a good salary in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?

At $44,200, the median salary for forklift operators is 64.5% of the Elkhart-Goshen, IN median household income ($68,561). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.3, making regional consumer goods and services 9.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.