Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

In the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH 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 $34,900/year and the 90th was $69,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,418 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,700$21.97 per hour · $3,808 monthly
10th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
25th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
75th Percentile$58,300$28.03/hr base
90th Percentile$69,500$33.41/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 82%
Fed 7%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,418After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,118Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,439Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,304 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,482 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,496 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,118
25th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,577
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.97/hr$3,808$45,700$37,418
75th Percentile$28.03/hr$4,858$58,300$47,101
90th Percentile$33.41/hr$5,792$69,500$55,408

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

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$60,078Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.411.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio76.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH 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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is $21.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.78/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.41/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH span from $34,900 at the 10th percentile to $38,100 at the 25th, $58,300 at the 75th, and $69,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

On a median gross salary of $45,700, an estimated $37,418 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,439 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,282 (an effective rate of 18.1%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

On the median annual salary of $45,700, gross monthly income is $3,808. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,118 per month (or $1,439 every two weeks).

Is $45,700 a good salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

At $45,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 76.1% of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH median household income ($60,078). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.4, making regional consumer goods and services 11.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.