Grand Junction, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Grand Junction, CO

In the Grand Junction, CO metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,900 ($22.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,600/year and the 90th was $60,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,509 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,900$22.55 per hour · $3,908 monthly
10th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
25th Percentile$42,600$20.48/hr base
75th Percentile$56,100$26.97/hr base
90th Percentile$60,800$29.23/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

$46,900
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,900
Net 82%
Fed 7%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,509After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,209Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,481Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,448 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,355 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,588 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$31,446
25th Percentile$20.48/hr$3,550$42,600$35,243
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$38,509
75th Percentile$26.97/hr$4,675$56,100$45,496
90th Percentile$29.23/hr$5,067$60,800$49,066

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Grand Junction, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,658Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.54.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio63.7%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 Grand Junction, CO

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO is $46,900, which equates to approximately $3,908 per month or $22.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO is $22.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.08/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.23/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Grand Junction, CO span from $37,600 at the 10th percentile to $42,600 at the 25th, $56,100 at the 75th, and $60,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Grand Junction, CO?

On a median gross salary of $46,900, an estimated $38,509 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,481 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,391 (an effective rate of 17.9%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Grand Junction, CO?

On the median annual salary of $46,900, gross monthly income is $3,908. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,209 per month (or $1,481 every two weeks).

Is $46,900 a good salary in Grand Junction, CO?

At $46,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 63.7% of the Grand Junction, CO median household income ($73,658). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.