Salaries › Forklift Operator › Washington
Forklift Operator Salary in Washington (2026)
$24.00 per hour · take-home ≈ $42,283/year ($3,524/month) for a single filer
Forklift Operator pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $41,600 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $46,460 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $49,910 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $56,760 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $62,920 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 18,750 Forklift Operator jobs in Washington (occupation code 53-7051, “Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Forklift Operator salary of $49,910 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $42,283 — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
| Gross (median) | $49,910 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,809 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,818 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $42,283 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,524 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Forklift Operator make in Washington?
- The median Forklift Operator salary in Washington is $49,910 per year ($24.00 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $46,460 and $56,760.
- What is the take-home pay for a Forklift Operator in Washington?
- On the median salary of $49,910, a single filer in Washington takes home about $42,283 per year ($3,524 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
- How many Forklift Operator jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 18,750 Forklift Operator jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Forklift Operators
Other salaries in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.