Lexington-Fayette, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY

In the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $48,000 ($23.08/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,600/year and the 90th was $73,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,186 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,000$23.08 per hour · $4,000 monthly
10th Percentile$36,600$17.60/hr base
25th Percentile$40,000$19.23/hr base
75th Percentile$61,300$29.47/hr base
90th Percentile$73,000$35.10/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

$48,000
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,000
Net 82%
Fed 7%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,186After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,265Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,507Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,580 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,562 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,672 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Lexington-Fayette, KY

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 Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$30,425
25th Percentile$19.23/hr$3,333$40,000$33,038
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$39,186
75th Percentile$29.47/hr$5,108$61,300$49,407
90th Percentile$35.10/hr$6,083$73,000$57,748

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lexington-Fayette, KY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,966Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.97.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio66.7%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 Lexington-Fayette, KY

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $48,000, which equates to approximately $4,000 per month or $23.08 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $23.08 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $35.10/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY span from $36,600 at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 25th, $61,300 at the 75th, and $73,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On a median gross salary of $48,000, an estimated $39,186 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,507 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,814 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On the median annual salary of $48,000, gross monthly income is $4,000. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,265 per month (or $1,507 every two weeks).

Is $48,000 a good salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

At $48,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 66.7% of the Lexington-Fayette, KY median household income ($71,966). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.9, making regional consumer goods and services 7.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.