Missoula, MT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Missoula, MT

In the Missoula, MT 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 $37,100/year and the 90th was $66,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Montana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,005 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$49,000$23.56 per hour · $4,083 monthly
10th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
25th Percentile$42,500$20.43/hr base
75th Percentile$57,700$27.74/hr base
90th Percentile$66,200$31.83/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 82%
Fed 8%
MT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,005After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,334Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,539Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,700 / yr
Montana state income tax$1,546 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,749 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Missoula, MT

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 Missoula, MT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MT)
10th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,003
25th Percentile$20.43/hr$3,542$42,500$35,088
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.56/hr$4,083$49,000$40,005
75th Percentile$27.74/hr$4,808$57,700$46,587
90th Percentile$31.83/hr$5,517$66,200$52,992

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Missoula, MT

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$74,989Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.43.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio65.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Missoula, MT

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Missoula, MT?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Missoula, MT 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 Missoula, MT?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Missoula, MT is $23.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.83/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Missoula, MT?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Missoula, MT span from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $42,500 at the 25th, $57,700 at the 75th, and $66,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Missoula, MT?

On a median gross salary of $49,000, an estimated $40,005 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,539 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Montana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,995 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Missoula, MT?

On the median annual salary of $49,000, gross monthly income is $4,083. After federal, FICA, and Montana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,334 per month (or $1,539 every two weeks).

Is $49,000 a good salary in Missoula, MT?

At $49,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 65.3% of the Missoula, MT median household income ($74,989). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.4, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.