Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $45,900 ($22.07/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $60,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,242 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 106.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,900$22.07 per hour · $3,825 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$41,500$19.95/hr base
75th Percentile$56,100$26.97/hr base
90th Percentile$60,900$29.28/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

$45,900
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,900
Net 83%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,242After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,187Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,471Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,328 / yr
California state income tax$819 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,511 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,600
25th Percentile$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$34,883
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$38,242
75th Percentile$26.97/hr$4,675$56,100$45,851
90th Percentile$29.28/hr$5,075$60,900$49,420

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$89,662Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index106.46.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA is $45,900, which equates to approximately $3,825 per month or $22.07 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA is $22.07 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.28/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $41,500 at the 25th, $56,100 at the 75th, and $60,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

On a median gross salary of $45,900, an estimated $38,242 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,471 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,658 (an effective rate of 16.7%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

On the median annual salary of $45,900, gross monthly income is $3,825. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,187 per month (or $1,471 every two weeks).

Is $45,900 a good salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?

At $45,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 51.2% of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA median household income ($89,662). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 106.4, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.