Portland-South Portland, ME · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $50,100 ($24.09/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $42,400/year and the 90th was $67,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maine tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,731 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$50,100$24.09 per hour · $4,175 monthly
10th Percentile$42,400$20.38/hr base
25th Percentile$46,700$22.45/hr base
75th Percentile$64,300$30.91/hr base
90th Percentile$67,700$32.55/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

$50,100
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,100
Net 81%
Fed 8%
ME 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,731After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,394Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,567Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,832 / yr
Maine state income tax$1,704 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,833 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Portland-South Portland, ME

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 Portland-South Portland, ME Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (ME)
10th Percentile$20.38/hr$3,533$42,400$35,007
25th Percentile$22.45/hr$3,892$46,700$38,213
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.09/hr$4,175$50,100$40,731
75th Percentile$30.91/hr$5,358$64,300$51,183
90th Percentile$32.55/hr$5,642$67,700$53,565

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-South Portland, ME

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$50,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$92,175Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.91.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Portland-South Portland, ME

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME is $50,100, which equates to approximately $4,175 per month or $24.09 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME is $24.09 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $20.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.55/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Portland-South Portland, ME span from $42,400 at the 10th percentile to $46,700 at the 25th, $64,300 at the 75th, and $67,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On a median gross salary of $50,100, an estimated $40,731 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,567 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maine in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,369 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On the median annual salary of $50,100, gross monthly income is $4,175. After federal, FICA, and Maine state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,394 per month (or $1,567 every two weeks).

Is $50,100 a good salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

At $50,100, the median salary for forklift operators is 54.4% of the Portland-South Portland, ME median household income ($92,175). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.9, making regional consumer goods and services 1.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.