Joplin, MO-KS · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Joplin, MO-KS

In the Joplin, MO-KS metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $45,100 ($21.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $55,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,701 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,100$21.68 per hour · $3,758 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$41,500$19.95/hr base
75th Percentile$47,900$23.03/hr base
90th Percentile$55,800$26.83/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

$45,100
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,100
Net 81%
Fed 7%
KS 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,701After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,058Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,412Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,232 / yr
Kansas state income tax$1,717 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,450 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Joplin, MO-KS

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 Joplin, MO-KS Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KS)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$29,972
25th Percentile$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$34,009
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$36,701
75th Percentile$23.03/hr$3,992$47,900$38,795
90th Percentile$26.83/hr$4,650$55,800$44,701

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Joplin, MO-KS

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$61,901Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.714.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio72.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Joplin, MO-KS

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS is $45,100, which equates to approximately $3,758 per month or $21.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS is $21.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.83/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Joplin, MO-KS span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $41,500 at the 25th, $47,900 at the 75th, and $55,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Joplin, MO-KS?

On a median gross salary of $45,100, an estimated $36,701 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,412 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,399 (an effective rate of 18.6%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Joplin, MO-KS?

On the median annual salary of $45,100, gross monthly income is $3,758. After federal, FICA, and Kansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,058 per month (or $1,412 every two weeks).

Is $45,100 a good salary in Joplin, MO-KS?

At $45,100, the median salary for forklift operators is 72.9% of the Joplin, MO-KS median household income ($61,901). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.7, making regional consumer goods and services 14.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.