Odessa, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Odessa, TX

In the Odessa, TX metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $44,000 ($21.15/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,200/year and the 90th was $57,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,534 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,000$21.15 per hour · $3,667 monthly
10th Percentile$33,200$15.96/hr base
25th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
75th Percentile$48,000$23.08/hr base
90th Percentile$57,800$27.79/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

$44,000
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,000
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,534After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,128Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,444Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,100 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,366 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Odessa, TX

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 Odessa, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$15.96/hr$2,767$33,200$28,856
25th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$31,508
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.15/hr$3,667$44,000$37,534
75th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$40,748
90th Percentile$27.79/hr$4,817$57,800$48,622

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Odessa, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,536Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.96.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio61.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Odessa, TX

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Odessa, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Odessa, TX is $44,000, which equates to approximately $3,667 per month or $21.15 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Odessa, TX?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Odessa, TX is $21.15 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.96/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.79/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Odessa, TX?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Odessa, TX span from $33,200 at the 10th percentile to $36,500 at the 25th, $48,000 at the 75th, and $57,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Odessa, TX?

On a median gross salary of $44,000, an estimated $37,534 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,444 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,466 (an effective rate of 14.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Odessa, TX?

On the median annual salary of $44,000, gross monthly income is $3,667. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,128 per month (or $1,444 every two weeks).

Is $44,000 a good salary in Odessa, TX?

At $44,000, the median salary for forklift operators is 61.5% of the Odessa, TX median household income ($71,536). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.9, making regional consumer goods and services 6.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.