Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

In the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,200 ($22.21/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,900/year and the 90th was $60,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,302 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,200$22.21 per hour · $3,850 monthly
10th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
25th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
75th Percentile$50,400$24.23/hr base
90th Percentile$60,700$29.18/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

$46,200
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,200
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,302After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,275Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,512Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,364 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,534 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$30,222
25th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$32,954
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.21/hr$3,850$46,200$39,302
75th Percentile$24.23/hr$4,200$50,400$42,676
90th Percentile$29.18/hr$5,058$60,700$50,952

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$82,168Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.61.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $46,200, which equates to approximately $3,850 per month or $22.21 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $22.21 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.78/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.18/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX span from $34,900 at the 10th percentile to $38,300 at the 25th, $50,400 at the 75th, and $60,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

On a median gross salary of $46,200, an estimated $39,302 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,512 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,898 (an effective rate of 14.9%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

On the median annual salary of $46,200, gross monthly income is $3,850. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,275 per month (or $1,512 every two weeks).

Is $46,200 a good salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

At $46,200, the median salary for forklift operators is 56.2% of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX median household income ($82,168). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.6, making regional consumer goods and services 1.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.