Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

In the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 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 $37,100/year and the 90th was $61,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,427 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,500$21.88 per hour · $3,792 monthly
10th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
25th Percentile$40,400$19.42/hr base
75th Percentile$51,200$24.62/hr base
90th Percentile$61,500$29.57/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 82%
Fed 7%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,427After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,119Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,439Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,280 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,313 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,481 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$30,925
25th Percentile$19.42/hr$3,367$40,400$33,479
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,427
75th Percentile$24.62/hr$4,267$51,200$41,838
90th Percentile$29.57/hr$5,125$61,500$49,811

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

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$73,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.16.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $21.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.57/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN span from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $40,400 at the 25th, $51,200 at the 75th, and $61,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

On a median gross salary of $45,500, an estimated $37,427 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,439 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,074 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

On the median annual salary of $45,500, gross monthly income is $3,792. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,119 per month (or $1,439 every two weeks).

Is $45,500 a good salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

At $45,500, the median salary for forklift operators is 61.6% of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN median household income ($73,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.1, making regional consumer goods and services 6.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.