Roanoke, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Roanoke, VA

In the Roanoke, VA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $43,400 ($20.87/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,500/year and the 90th was $57,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,371 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,400$20.87 per hour · $3,617 monthly
10th Percentile$34,500$16.59/hr base
25th Percentile$39,300$18.89/hr base
75th Percentile$50,400$24.23/hr base
90th Percentile$57,700$27.74/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

$43,400
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,400
Net 81%
Fed 7%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,371After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,948Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,360Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,028 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,681 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,320 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Roanoke, VA

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 Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$28,731
25th Percentile$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$32,312
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.87/hr$3,617$43,400$35,371
75th Percentile$24.23/hr$4,200$50,400$40,593
90th Percentile$27.74/hr$4,808$57,700$46,038

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Roanoke, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,761Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.66.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio63.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Roanoke, VA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA is $43,400, which equates to approximately $3,617 per month or $20.87 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA is $20.87 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.59/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.74/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Roanoke, VA span from $34,500 at the 10th percentile to $39,300 at the 25th, $50,400 at the 75th, and $57,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Roanoke, VA?

On a median gross salary of $43,400, an estimated $35,371 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,360 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,030 (an effective rate of 18.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Roanoke, VA?

On the median annual salary of $43,400, gross monthly income is $3,617. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,948 per month (or $1,360 every two weeks).

Is $43,400 a good salary in Roanoke, VA?

At $43,400, the median salary for forklift operators is 63.1% of the Roanoke, VA median household income ($68,761). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.6, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.