Kansas City, MO-KS · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Kansas City, MO-KS

In the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $48,700 ($23.41/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,000/year and the 90th was $60,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,393 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,700$23.41 per hour · $4,058 monthly
10th Percentile$39,000$18.75/hr base
25th Percentile$44,800$21.54/hr base
75th Percentile$51,800$24.90/hr base
90th Percentile$60,300$28.99/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

$48,700
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,700
Net 81%
Fed 8%
KS 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,393After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,283Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,515Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,664 / yr
Kansas state income tax$1,918 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,726 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KS)
10th Percentile$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,140
25th Percentile$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$36,477
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.41/hr$4,058$48,700$39,393
75th Percentile$24.90/hr$4,317$51,800$41,711
90th Percentile$28.99/hr$5,025$60,300$48,066

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kansas City, MO-KS

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,460Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.57.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio58.4%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 Kansas City, MO-KS

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

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Kansas City, MO-KS is $48,700, which equates to approximately $4,058 per month or $23.41 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Kansas City, MO-KS is $23.41 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.99/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Kansas City, MO-KS span from $39,000 at the 10th percentile to $44,800 at the 25th, $51,800 at the 75th, and $60,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $48,700, an estimated $39,393 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,515 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,307 (an effective rate of 19.1%).

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

On the median annual salary of $48,700, gross monthly income is $4,058. After federal, FICA, and Kansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,283 per month (or $1,515 every two weeks).

Is $48,700 a good salary in Kansas City, MO-KS?

At $48,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 58.4% of the Kansas City, MO-KS median household income ($83,460). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.5, making regional consumer goods and services 7.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.