Salaries › Forklift Operator › Colorado
Forklift Operator Salary in Colorado (2026)
$24.31 per hour · take-home ≈ $41,296/year ($3,441/month) for a single filer
Forklift Operator pay range in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $40,560 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $45,970 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $50,570 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $60,530 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $65,630 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 8,570 Forklift Operator jobs in Colorado (occupation code 53-7051, “Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Colorado
A median Forklift Operator salary of $50,570 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Colorado state income tax, a single filer keeps about $41,296 — an effective tax rate of 18.3%.
| Gross (median) | $50,570 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,888 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,869 |
| Colorado state income tax | −$1,517 |
| Take-home (annual) | $41,296 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,441 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Colorado paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Forklift Operator make in Colorado?
- The median Forklift Operator salary in Colorado is $50,570 per year ($24.31 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $45,970 and $60,530.
- What is the take-home pay for a Forklift Operator in Colorado?
- On the median salary of $50,570, a single filer in Colorado takes home about $41,296 per year ($3,441 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.3%.
- How many Forklift Operator jobs are there in Colorado?
- BLS counts 8,570 Forklift Operator jobs in Colorado in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Forklift Operators
Other salaries in Colorado
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Colorado state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Colorado.