Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $48,400 ($23.27/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,300/year and the 90th was $61,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $41,069 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,400$23.27 per hour · $4,033 monthly
10th Percentile$40,300$19.38/hr base
25th Percentile$45,000$21.63/hr base
75th Percentile$55,000$26.44/hr base
90th Percentile$61,000$29.33/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

$48,400
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,400
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,069After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,422Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,580Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,628 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,703 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$19.38/hr$3,358$40,300$34,561
25th Percentile$21.63/hr$3,750$45,000$38,338
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.27/hr$4,033$48,400$41,069
75th Percentile$26.44/hr$4,583$55,000$46,373
90th Percentile$29.33/hr$5,083$61,000$51,194

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$96,563Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.73.7% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $48,400, which equates to approximately $4,033 per month or $23.27 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $23.27 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.33/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA span from $40,300 at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 25th, $55,000 at the 75th, and $61,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On a median gross salary of $48,400, an estimated $41,069 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,580 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,331 (an effective rate of 15.1%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On the median annual salary of $48,400, gross monthly income is $4,033. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,422 per month (or $1,580 every two weeks).

Is $48,400 a good salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

At $48,400, the median salary for forklift operators is 50.1% of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA median household income ($96,563). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.7, making regional consumer goods and services 3.7% more expensive than the U.S. average.