Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

In the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $45,700 ($21.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,400/year and the 90th was $59,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,186 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,700$21.97 per hour · $3,808 monthly
10th Percentile$37,400$17.98/hr base
25th Percentile$40,200$19.33/hr base
75th Percentile$49,800$23.94/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

$45,700
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,700
Net 84%
Fed 7%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,186After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,182Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,469Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,304 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$714 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,496 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$17.98/hr$3,117$37,400$31,785
25th Percentile$19.33/hr$3,350$40,200$33,978
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.97/hr$3,808$45,700$38,186
75th Percentile$23.94/hr$4,150$49,800$41,208
90th Percentile$28.65/hr$4,967$59,600$48,433

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,304Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.02% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.9%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC is $45,700, which equates to approximately $3,808 per month or $21.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC is $21.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.98/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.65/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC span from $37,400 at the 10th percentile to $40,200 at the 25th, $49,800 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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

On a median gross salary of $45,700, an estimated $38,186 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,469 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,514 (an effective rate of 16.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

On the median annual salary of $45,700, gross monthly income is $3,808. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,182 per month (or $1,469 every two weeks).

Is $45,700 a good salary in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?

At $45,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 54.9% of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC median household income ($83,304). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.0, making regional consumer goods and services 2% cheaper than the U.S. average.