Fort Smith, AR-OK · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $43,300 ($20.82/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,500/year and the 90th was $56,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,828 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,300$20.82 per hour · $3,608 monthly
10th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
25th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
75th Percentile$49,200$23.65/hr base
90th Percentile$56,600$27.21/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

$43,300
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,300
Net 83%
Fed 7%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,828After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,986Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,378Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,016 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$1,143 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,312 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR-OK

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 Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,336
25th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$30,859
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,828
75th Percentile$23.65/hr$4,100$49,200$40,339
90th Percentile$27.21/hr$4,717$56,600$45,996

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fort Smith, AR-OK

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$58,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.914.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio74.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Fort Smith, AR-OK

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $43,300, which equates to approximately $3,608 per month or $20.82 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $20.82 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.21/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Fort Smith, AR-OK span from $33,500 at the 10th percentile to $36,800 at the 25th, $49,200 at the 75th, and $56,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On a median gross salary of $43,300, an estimated $35,828 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,378 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,472 (an effective rate of 17.3%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On the median annual salary of $43,300, gross monthly income is $3,608. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,986 per month (or $1,378 every two weeks).

Is $43,300 a good salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

At $43,300, the median salary for forklift operators is 74.1% of the Fort Smith, AR-OK median household income ($58,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.9, making regional consumer goods and services 14.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.