Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $49,000 ($23.56/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,600/year and the 90th was $65,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,572 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 113.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$49,000$23.56 per hour · $4,083 monthly
10th Percentile$39,600$19.04/hr base
25th Percentile$44,300$21.30/hr base
75th Percentile$59,900$28.80/hr base
90th Percentile$65,000$31.25/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

$49,000
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,000
Net 83%
Fed 8%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,572After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,381Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,560Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,700 / yr
California state income tax$980 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,749 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.04/hr$3,300$39,600$33,432
25th Percentile$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$37,020
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.56/hr$4,083$49,000$40,572
75th Percentile$28.80/hr$4,992$59,900$48,676
90th Percentile$31.25/hr$5,417$65,000$52,433

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$49,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$95,958Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index113.613.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $49,000, which equates to approximately $4,083 per month or $23.56 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $23.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.04/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.25/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA span from $39,600 at the 10th percentile to $44,300 at the 25th, $59,900 at the 75th, and $65,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

On a median gross salary of $49,000, an estimated $40,572 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,560 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,428 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

On the median annual salary of $49,000, gross monthly income is $4,083. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,381 per month (or $1,560 every two weeks).

Is $49,000 a good salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

At $49,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 51.1% of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA median household income ($95,958). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 113.6, making regional consumer goods and services 13.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.