Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

In the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,500 ($22.36/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,600/year and the 90th was $61,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,700 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 107.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,500$22.36 per hour · $3,875 monthly
10th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
25th Percentile$42,100$20.24/hr base
75th Percentile$56,800$27.31/hr base
90th Percentile$61,700$29.66/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

$46,500
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,500
Net 83%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,700After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,225Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,488Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,400 / yr
California state income tax$843 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,557 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$31,905
25th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$35,341
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$38,700
75th Percentile$27.31/hr$4,733$56,800$46,371
90th Percentile$29.66/hr$5,142$61,700$50,014

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$104,674Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index107.87.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.4%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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA is $46,500, which equates to approximately $3,875 per month or $22.36 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA is $22.36 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.08/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.66/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA span from $37,600 at the 10th percentile to $42,100 at the 25th, $56,800 at the 75th, and $61,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

On a median gross salary of $46,500, an estimated $38,700 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,488 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,800 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

On the median annual salary of $46,500, gross monthly income is $3,875. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,225 per month (or $1,488 every two weeks).

Is $46,500 a good salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?

At $46,500, the median salary for forklift operators is 44.4% of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA median household income ($104,674). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 107.8, making regional consumer goods and services 7.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.