New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $47,700 ($22.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,900/year and the 90th was $68,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,419 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 112.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,700$22.93 per hour · $3,975 monthly
10th Percentile$37,900$18.22/hr base
25th Percentile$41,000$19.71/hr base
75th Percentile$58,400$28.08/hr base
90th Percentile$68,100$32.74/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

$47,700
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,700
Net 83%
Fed 7%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,419After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,285Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,516Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,544 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$1,088 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,649 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$32,024
25th Percentile$19.71/hr$3,417$41,000$34,406
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.93/hr$3,975$47,700$39,419
75th Percentile$28.08/hr$4,867$58,400$47,426
90th Percentile$32.74/hr$5,675$68,100$54,524

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,155Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index112.612.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.1%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

What is the median salary for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $47,700, which equates to approximately $3,975 per month or $22.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $22.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.22/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.74/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ span from $37,900 at the 10th percentile to $41,000 at the 25th, $58,400 at the 75th, and $68,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $47,700, an estimated $39,419 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,516 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,281 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $47,700, gross monthly income is $3,975. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,285 per month (or $1,516 every two weeks).

Is $47,700 a good salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

At $47,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 48.1% of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ median household income ($99,155). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 112.6, making regional consumer goods and services 12.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.