How Much Does a Forklift and Industrial Truck Operator Make in California (CA) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in California (CA)
$52,520/yr ($25.25/hr · $41,387 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$40,980 ($19.70/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$70,910 ($34.09/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,591.81
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$37.88/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $19.70/hr | $40,980 | −$8,172.87 | $32,807.13 | $1,261.81 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $25.25/hr | $52,520 | −$11,132.88 | $41,387.12 | $1,591.81 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $34.09/hr | $70,910 | −$16,593.42 | $54,316.58 | $2,089.10 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($20.97/hr)California ($25.25/hr)Florida ($20.33/hr)New York ($24.82/hr)Illinois ($22.04/hr)Arizona ($20.76/hr)New Jersey ($23.97/hr)Georgia ($20.54/hr)North Carolina ($20.33/hr)Washington ($24.61/hr)Pennsylvania ($21.19/hr)Ohio ($20.12/hr)Nevada ($20.97/hr)Colorado ($22.68/hr)Virginia ($22.47/hr)Massachusetts ($25.04/hr)Michigan ($20.54/hr)Tennessee ($19.69/hr)Indiana ($19.90/hr)Maryland ($23.11/hr)Minnesota ($22.26/hr)Missouri ($19.69/hr)Wisconsin ($20.76/hr)Oregon ($22.47/hr)Connecticut ($23.75/hr)Utah ($20.76/hr)South Carolina ($19.47/hr)Alabama ($18.83/hr)Louisiana ($19.05/hr)Kentucky ($19.05/hr)Oklahoma ($19.05/hr)Kansas ($19.69/hr)Iowa ($19.90/hr)New Mexico ($19.69/hr)Arkansas ($18.62/hr)Mississippi ($18.19/hr)Nebraska ($20.12/hr)Idaho ($19.90/hr)Hawaii ($23.11/hr)New Hampshire ($22.04/hr)Maine ($20.33/hr)Rhode Island ($21.83/hr)Montana ($19.69/hr)Delaware ($21.61/hr)South Dakota ($19.47/hr)North Dakota ($20.33/hr)Alaska ($23.33/hr)Vermont ($20.97/hr)West Virginia ($18.40/hr)Wyoming ($20.33/hr)