New Orleans-Metairie, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $51,400 ($24.71/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,800/year and the 90th was $64,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,324 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,400$24.71 per hour · $4,283 monthly
10th Percentile$37,800$18.17/hr base
25th Percentile$42,900$20.63/hr base
75th Percentile$60,400$29.04/hr base
90th Percentile$64,300$30.91/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

$51,400
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,400
Net 82%
Fed 8%
LA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,324After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,527Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,628Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,988 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$1,156 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,932 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,805
25th Percentile$20.63/hr$3,575$42,900$35,749
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.71/hr$4,283$51,400$42,324
75th Percentile$29.04/hr$5,033$60,400$49,286
90th Percentile$30.91/hr$5,358$64,300$52,302

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,655Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.67.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio82%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $51,400, which equates to approximately $4,283 per month or $24.71 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $24.71 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.17/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.91/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA span from $37,800 at the 10th percentile to $42,900 at the 25th, $60,400 at the 75th, and $64,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On a median gross salary of $51,400, an estimated $42,324 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,628 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,076 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On the median annual salary of $51,400, gross monthly income is $4,283. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,527 per month (or $1,628 every two weeks).

Is $51,400 a good salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

At $51,400, the median salary for forklift operators is 82% of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA median household income ($62,655). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.6, making regional consumer goods and services 7.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.