Helena, MT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Helena, MT

In the Helena, MT metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $48,600 ($23.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,800/year and the 90th was $65,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Montana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,703 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,600$23.37 per hour · $4,050 monthly
10th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
25th Percentile$42,200$20.29/hr base
75th Percentile$57,200$27.50/hr base
90th Percentile$65,700$31.59/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

$48,600
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,600
Net 82%
Fed 8%
MT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,703After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,309Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,527Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,652 / yr
Montana state income tax$1,528 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,718 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Helena, MT

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 Helena, MT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MT)
10th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$30,776
25th Percentile$20.29/hr$3,517$42,200$34,861
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.37/hr$4,050$48,600$39,703
75th Percentile$27.50/hr$4,767$57,200$46,209
90th Percentile$31.59/hr$5,475$65,700$52,619

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Helena, MT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,528Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.74.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Helena, MT

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Helena, MT?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Helena, MT is $48,600, which equates to approximately $4,050 per month or $23.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Helena, MT?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Helena, MT is $23.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.69/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.59/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Helena, MT?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Helena, MT span from $36,800 at the 10th percentile to $42,200 at the 25th, $57,200 at the 75th, and $65,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Helena, MT?

On a median gross salary of $48,600, an estimated $39,703 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,527 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Montana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,897 (an effective rate of 18.3%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Helena, MT?

On the median annual salary of $48,600, gross monthly income is $4,050. After federal, FICA, and Montana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,309 per month (or $1,527 every two weeks).

Is $48,600 a good salary in Helena, MT?

At $48,600, the median salary for forklift operators is 61.9% of the Helena, MT median household income ($78,528). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.7, making regional consumer goods and services 4.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.