Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $49,200 ($23.65/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,100/year and the 90th was $64,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,175 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$49,200$23.65 per hour · $4,100 monthly
10th Percentile$40,100$19.28/hr base
25th Percentile$45,500$21.88/hr base
75th Percentile$60,000$28.85/hr base
90th Percentile$64,800$31.15/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

$49,200
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,200
Net 82%
Fed 8%
WI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,175After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,348Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,545Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,724 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$1,537 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,764 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$19.28/hr$3,342$40,100$33,311
25th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,384
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.65/hr$4,100$49,200$40,175
75th Percentile$28.85/hr$5,000$60,000$48,320
90th Percentile$31.15/hr$5,400$64,800$51,909

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$49,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,218Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio62.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $49,200, which equates to approximately $4,100 per month or $23.65 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $23.65 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.28/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.15/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $40,100 at the 10th percentile to $45,500 at the 25th, $60,000 at the 75th, and $64,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On a median gross salary of $49,200, an estimated $40,175 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,545 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,025 (an effective rate of 18.3%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On the median annual salary of $49,200, gross monthly income is $4,100. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,348 per month (or $1,545 every two weeks).

Is $49,200 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

At $49,200, the median salary for forklift operators is 62.9% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.