Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $82,900 ($39.86/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $56,500/year and the 90th was $82,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $62,979 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$82,900$39.86 per hour · $6,908 monthly
10th Percentile$56,500$27.16/hr base
25th Percentile$70,100$33.70/hr base
75th Percentile$82,900$39.86/hr base
90th Percentile$82,900$39.86/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

$82,900
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$82,900
Net 76%
Fed 11%
DC 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,979After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,248Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,422Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,408 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$4,172 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,342 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$27.16/hr$4,708$56,500$45,280
25th Percentile$33.70/hr$5,842$70,100$54,964
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$39.86/hr$6,908$82,900$62,979
75th Percentile$39.86/hr$6,908$82,900$62,979
90th Percentile$39.86/hr$6,908$82,900$62,979

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$82,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio65.4%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $82,900, which equates to approximately $6,908 per month or $39.86 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $39.86 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $27.16/hour and one in ten earned more than $39.86/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $56,500 at the 10th percentile to $70,100 at the 25th, $82,900 at the 75th, and $82,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $82,900, an estimated $62,979 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,422 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $19,921 (an effective rate of 24%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $82,900, gross monthly income is $6,908. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,248 per month (or $2,422 every two weeks).

Is $82,900 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $82,900, the median salary for forklift operators is 65.4% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.