Salaries › Forklift Operator › Montana
Forklift Operator Salary in Montana (2026)
$23.10 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,294/year ($3,275/month) for a single filer
Forklift Operator pay range in Montana
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,450 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $41,700 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,060 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $56,600 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $64,970 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 910 Forklift Operator jobs in Montana (occupation code 53-7051, “Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Montana
A median Forklift Operator salary of $48,060 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Montana state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,294 — an effective tax rate of 18.2%.
| Gross (median) | $48,060 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,587 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,677 |
| Montana state income tax | −$1,502 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,294 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,275 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Montana paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Forklift Operator make in Montana?
- The median Forklift Operator salary in Montana is $48,060 per year ($23.10 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $41,700 and $56,600.
- What is the take-home pay for a Forklift Operator in Montana?
- On the median salary of $48,060, a single filer in Montana takes home about $39,294 per year ($3,275 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.2%.
- How many Forklift Operator jobs are there in Montana?
- BLS counts 910 Forklift Operator jobs in Montana in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Forklift Operators
Other salaries in Montana
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 Montana 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 Montana.