Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $47,200 ($22.69/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,300/year and the 90th was $60,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,963 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,200$22.69 per hour · $3,933 monthly
10th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
25th Percentile$43,100$20.72/hr base
75th Percentile$52,500$25.24/hr base
90th Percentile$60,500$29.09/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

$47,200
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,200
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,963After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,247Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,499Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,484 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,142 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,611 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$32,150
25th Percentile$20.72/hr$3,592$43,100$35,825
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.69/hr$3,933$47,200$38,963
75th Percentile$25.24/hr$4,375$52,500$43,021
90th Percentile$29.09/hr$5,042$60,500$49,145

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,811Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.112.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio66.7%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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $47,200, which equates to approximately $3,933 per month or $22.69 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $22.69 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.41/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.09/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $38,300 at the 10th percentile to $43,100 at the 25th, $52,500 at the 75th, and $60,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $47,200, an estimated $38,963 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,499 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,237 (an effective rate of 17.5%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $47,200, gross monthly income is $3,933. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,247 per month (or $1,499 every two weeks).

Is $47,200 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $47,200, the median salary for forklift operators is 66.7% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.