Longview-Kelso, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Longview-Kelso, WA

In the Longview-Kelso, WA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $45,500 ($21.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,900/year and the 90th was $57,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,739 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,500$21.88 per hour · $3,792 monthly
10th Percentile$37,900$18.22/hr base
25th Percentile$42,300$20.34/hr base
75th Percentile$51,700$24.86/hr base
90th Percentile$57,400$27.60/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

$45,500
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,500
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,739After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,228Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,490Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,280 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,481 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Longview-Kelso, 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 Longview-Kelso, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$32,633
25th Percentile$20.34/hr$3,525$42,300$36,168
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$38,739
75th Percentile$24.86/hr$4,308$51,700$43,721
90th Percentile$27.60/hr$4,783$57,400$48,301

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Longview-Kelso, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,531Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.52.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio59.5%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 Longview-Kelso, WA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA is $45,500, which equates to approximately $3,792 per month or $21.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA is $21.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.22/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.60/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Longview-Kelso, WA span from $37,900 at the 10th percentile to $42,300 at the 25th, $51,700 at the 75th, and $57,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Longview-Kelso, WA?

On a median gross salary of $45,500, an estimated $38,739 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,490 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,761 (an effective rate of 14.9%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Longview-Kelso, WA?

On the median annual salary of $45,500, gross monthly income is $3,792. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,228 per month (or $1,490 every two weeks).

Is $45,500 a good salary in Longview-Kelso, WA?

At $45,500, the median salary for forklift operators is 59.5% of the Longview-Kelso, WA median household income ($76,531). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.5, making regional consumer goods and services 2.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.