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Winston-Salem, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Winston-Salem, NC

In the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $42,400 ($20.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,100/year and the 90th was $54,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,065 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,400$20.38 per hour · $3,533 monthly
10th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
25th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
75th Percentile$46,400$22.31/hr base
90th Percentile$54,600$26.25/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 payWhat $42,000 a year leaves after tax in North CarolinaFederal tax, FICA and North Carolina withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$20 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $42,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $42,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation North Carolina publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about North Carolina.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$42,400
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,400
Net 83%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,065After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,922Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,349Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,908 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,183 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,244 / yr
Customize deductions in full North Carolina calculator

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Winston-Salem, NC

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 Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$29,491
25th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,095
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.38/hr$3,533$42,400$35,065
75th Percentile$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$38,120
90th Percentile$26.25/hr$4,550$54,600$44,381

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Winston-Salem, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,975Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.08% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio64.3%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay in other North Carolina metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Winston-Salem, NC. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Winston-Salem, NC

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC is $42,400, which equates to approximately $3,533 per month or $20.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC is $20.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.25/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Winston-Salem, NC span from $35,100 at the 10th percentile to $37,200 at the 25th, $46,400 at the 75th, and $54,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Winston-Salem, NC?

On a median gross salary of $42,400, an estimated $35,065 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,349 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,335 (an effective rate of 17.3%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Winston-Salem, NC?

On the median annual salary of $42,400, gross monthly income is $3,533. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,922 per month (or $1,349 every two weeks).

Is $42,400 a good salary in Winston-Salem, NC?

At $42,400, the median salary for forklift operators is 64.3% of the Winston-Salem, NC median household income ($65,975). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.0, making regional consumer goods and services 8% cheaper than the U.S. average.