Trenton-Princeton, NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

In the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $43,700 ($21.01/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,800/year and the 90th was $62,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,426 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,700$21.01 per hour · $3,642 monthly
10th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
25th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
75th Percentile$53,600$25.77/hr base
90th Percentile$62,400$30.00/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

$43,700
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,700
Net 83%
Fed 7%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,426After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,036Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,401Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,064 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$867 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,343 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$29,620
25th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$31,793
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.01/hr$3,642$43,700$36,426
75th Percentile$25.77/hr$4,467$53,600$43,834
90th Percentile$30.00/hr$5,200$62,400$50,419

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,645Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.23.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.4%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $43,700, which equates to approximately $3,642 per month or $21.01 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $21.01 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.73/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.00/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ span from $34,800 at the 10th percentile to $37,600 at the 25th, $53,600 at the 75th, and $62,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On a median gross salary of $43,700, an estimated $36,426 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,401 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,274 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On the median annual salary of $43,700, gross monthly income is $3,642. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,036 per month (or $1,401 every two weeks).

Is $43,700 a good salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

At $43,700, the median salary for forklift operators is 43.4% of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ median household income ($100,645). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.2, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.