Kennewick-Richland, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA

In the Kennewick-Richland, WA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,700 ($22.45/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,900/year and the 90th was $58,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,703 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,700$22.45 per hour · $3,892 monthly
10th Percentile$38,900$18.70/hr base
25th Percentile$43,400$20.87/hr base
75th Percentile$53,100$25.53/hr base
90th Percentile$58,800$28.27/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

$46,700
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,700
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,703After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,309Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,527Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,424 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,573 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Kennewick-Richland, WA

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 Kennewick-Richland, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$18.70/hr$3,242$38,900$33,436
25th Percentile$20.87/hr$3,617$43,400$37,052
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.45/hr$3,892$46,700$39,703
75th Percentile$25.53/hr$4,425$53,100$44,846
90th Percentile$28.27/hr$4,900$58,800$49,426

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kennewick-Richland, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$89,010Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.10.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Kennewick-Richland, WA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $46,700, which equates to approximately $3,892 per month or $22.45 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $22.45 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.27/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Kennewick-Richland, WA span from $38,900 at the 10th percentile to $43,400 at the 25th, $53,100 at the 75th, and $58,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

On a median gross salary of $46,700, an estimated $39,703 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,527 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,997 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

On the median annual salary of $46,700, gross monthly income is $3,892. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,309 per month (or $1,527 every two weeks).

Is $46,700 a good salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

At $46,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 52.5% of the Kennewick-Richland, WA median household income ($89,010). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.1, making regional consumer goods and services 0.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.