Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

In the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $46,900 ($22.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,100/year and the 90th was $60,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,734 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,900$22.55 per hour · $3,908 monthly
10th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
25th Percentile$42,800$20.58/hr base
75th Percentile$52,200$25.10/hr base
90th Percentile$60,100$28.89/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

$46,900
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,900
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,734After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,228Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,490Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,448 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,130 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,588 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Sioux City, IA-NE-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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,997
25th Percentile$20.58/hr$3,567$42,800$35,595
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$38,734
75th Percentile$25.10/hr$4,350$52,200$42,791
90th Percentile$28.89/hr$5,008$60,100$48,838

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,192Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.513.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio62.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD is $46,900, which equates to approximately $3,908 per month or $22.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD is $22.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.32/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.89/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD span from $38,100 at the 10th percentile to $42,800 at the 25th, $52,200 at the 75th, and $60,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On a median gross salary of $46,900, an estimated $38,734 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,490 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,166 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On the median annual salary of $46,900, gross monthly income is $3,908. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,228 per month (or $1,490 every two weeks).

Is $46,900 a good salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

At $46,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 62.4% of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD median household income ($75,192). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.5, making regional consumer goods and services 13.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.