Kankakee, IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Kankakee, IL

In the Kankakee, IL metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,000 ($22.12/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,600/year and the 90th was $60,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,009 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,000$22.12 per hour · $3,833 monthly
10th Percentile$36,600$17.60/hr base
25th Percentile$41,300$19.86/hr base
75th Percentile$55,500$26.68/hr base
90th Percentile$60,900$29.28/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

$46,000
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,000
Net 80%
Fed 7%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,009After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,084Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,423Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,340 / yr
Illinois state income tax$2,132 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,519 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Kankakee, IL

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 Kankakee, IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$29,921
25th Percentile$19.86/hr$3,442$41,300$33,465
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$37,009
75th Percentile$26.68/hr$4,625$55,500$44,172
90th Percentile$29.28/hr$5,075$60,900$48,243

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kankakee, IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,281Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.43.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio64.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Kankakee, IL

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL is $46,000, which equates to approximately $3,833 per month or $22.12 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL is $22.12 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.28/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Kankakee, IL span from $36,600 at the 10th percentile to $41,300 at the 25th, $55,500 at the 75th, and $60,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Kankakee, IL?

On a median gross salary of $46,000, an estimated $37,009 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,423 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,991 (an effective rate of 19.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Kankakee, IL?

On the median annual salary of $46,000, gross monthly income is $3,833. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,084 per month (or $1,423 every two weeks).

Is $46,000 a good salary in Kankakee, IL?

At $46,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 64.5% of the Kankakee, IL median household income ($71,281). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.4, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.