Rapid City, SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Rapid City, SD

In the Rapid City, SD 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 $38,000/year and the 90th was $61,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Dakota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,507 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Median Annual Salary

$47,700$22.93 per hour · $3,975 monthly

10th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base

25th Percentile$43,600$20.96/hr base

75th Percentile$55,100$26.49/hr base

90th Percentile$61,500$29.57/hr base

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Take-home payWhat $48,000 a year leaves after tax in South DakotaFederal tax, FICA and South Dakota withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.

By the hour$23 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.

HousingWhat a $48,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.

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Explore annual salary:$47,700

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Gross salary breakdown$47,700

Net 85%

Fed 7%

FICA 8%

Annual take-home$40,507After all taxes

Monthly deposit$3,376Estimated per month

Biweekly paycheck$1,558Every 2 weeks (26/yr)

Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden

Federal income tax$3,544 / yr

South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0

FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,649 / yr

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

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 Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Area
Earning Tier	Hourly Wage	Monthly Gross	Annual Gross	Est. Annual Net (SD)
10th Percentile	$18.27/hr	$3,167	$38,000	$32,713
25th Percentile	$20.96/hr	$3,633	$43,600	$37,213
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark	$22.93/hr	$3,975	$47,700	$40,507
75th Percentile	$26.49/hr	$4,592	$55,100	$46,453
90th Percentile	$29.57/hr	$5,125	$61,500	$51,595

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Rapid City, SD

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$75,255Census Bureau ACS

BEA Price Parity Index89.210.8% below national average

Individual vs Household Ratio63.4%of area median income

Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Dakota:

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salaries Across South Dakota →Statewide wage percentiles, purchasing power and employment counts.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators National 50-State Salary Map →Compare wages across all 50 states, rank highest-paying states, and view national employment.
South Dakota Wages by Occupation →Detailed salary distributions for over 700 occupations across South Dakota.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Calculator →Calculate your custom paycheck after federal, FICA, and South Dakota state withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Rapid City, SD

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Rapid City, SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City, SD?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Rapid City, SD is $22.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.57/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Rapid City, SD?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Rapid City, SD span from $38,000 at the 10th percentile to $43,600 at the 25th, $55,100 at the 75th, and $61,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Rapid City, SD?

On a median gross salary of $47,700, an estimated $40,507 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,558 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Dakota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,193 (an effective rate of 15.1%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Rapid City, SD?

On the median annual salary of $47,700, gross monthly income is $3,975. After federal, FICA, and South Dakota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,376 per month (or $1,558 every two weeks).

Is $47,700 a good salary in Rapid City, SD?

At $47,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 63.4% of the Rapid City, SD median household income ($75,255). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.2, making regional consumer goods and services 10.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.