Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

In the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $39,800 ($19.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,100/year and the 90th was $59,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,607 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,800$19.13 per hour · $3,317 monthly
10th Percentile$31,100$14.95/hr base
25th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
75th Percentile$48,500$23.32/hr base
90th Percentile$59,800$28.75/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

$39,800
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,800
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,607After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,717Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,254Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,596 / yr
New York state income tax$1,553 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,045 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,086
25th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$29,609
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.13/hr$3,317$39,800$32,607
75th Percentile$23.32/hr$4,042$48,500$39,127
90th Percentile$28.75/hr$4,983$59,800$47,597

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,301Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.712.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio60%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $39,800, which equates to approximately $3,317 per month or $19.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $19.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.95/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.75/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY span from $31,100 at the 10th percentile to $35,800 at the 25th, $48,500 at the 75th, and $59,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On a median gross salary of $39,800, an estimated $32,607 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,254 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,193 (an effective rate of 18.1%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On the median annual salary of $39,800, gross monthly income is $3,317. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,717 per month (or $1,254 every two weeks).

Is $39,800 a good salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

At $39,800, the median salary for forklift operators is 60% of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY median household income ($66,301). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.7, making regional consumer goods and services 12.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.