Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for industrial truck and tractor operators in the United States is $46,420 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $36,840 at the 10th percentile to $62,520 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Fork-lift truck drivers) has a median of £31,016 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,840 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $40,030 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $46,420 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $54,770 | Experienced |
| 90th | $62,520 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 | $76,770 | — |
| New Mexico | $62,150 | $53,290 | 3,000 |
| Delaware | $60,350 | $53,480 | 5,000 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 | $57,810 | 790 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 | $53,490 | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $54,190 | $55,310 | 410 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 | $64,460 | 880 |
| Oregon | $50,760 | $52,160 | 9,000 |
| Colorado | $50,570 | $53,190 | 9,000 |
| Washington | $49,910 | $52,360 | 19,000 |
| Minnesota | $49,740 | $53,070 | 7,000 |
| North Dakota | $49,260 | $50,920 | 930 |
| Utah | $49,040 | $51,920 | 7,000 |
| New York | $49,030 | $52,860 | 18,000 |
| Louisiana | $48,950 | $48,790 | 8,000 |
| Florida | $48,370 | $49,740 | 38,000 |
| Arizona | $48,110 | $49,820 | 12,000 |
| Montana | $48,060 | $50,140 | 910 |
| California | $47,770 | $50,360 | 90,000 |
| Maine | $47,730 | $51,710 | 3,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,730 | $49,760 | 42,000 |
| Illinois | $47,720 | $49,550 | 29,000 |
| Wisconsin | $47,720 | $50,110 | 12,000 |
| Iowa | $47,590 | $48,870 | 8,000 |
| Kansas | $47,430 | $47,980 | 8,000 |
| South Dakota | $47,410 | $48,730 | 2,000 |
| Vermont | $47,380 | $49,410 | 950 |
| Connecticut | $47,190 | $50,940 | 4,000 |
| Virginia | $46,920 | $48,810 | 19,000 |
| Massachusetts | $46,850 | $48,190 | 8,000 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 | $47,090 | 5,000 |
| Kentucky | $46,630 | $49,630 | 11,000 |
| Idaho | $46,600 | $48,020 | 3,000 |
| Ohio | $46,450 | $49,800 | 42,000 |
| New Jersey | $46,100 | $49,290 | 22,000 |
| Indiana | $45,650 | $47,600 | 23,000 |
| Maryland | $45,630 | $48,330 | 14,000 |
| Texas | $45,450 | $45,400 | 89,000 |
| Nevada | $45,230 | $49,070 | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $45,220 | $48,860 | 23,000 |
| Missouri | $45,190 | $47,970 | 11,000 |
| Rhode Island | $45,010 | $47,410 | 780 |
| Alabama | $44,880 | $45,540 | 15,000 |
| Oklahoma | $44,700 | $45,950 | 8,000 |
| Arkansas | $43,780 | $44,290 | 11,000 |
| South Carolina | $43,680 | $45,010 | 14,000 |
| Mississippi | $43,420 | $42,860 | 10,000 |
| North Carolina | $43,420 | $43,960 | 27,000 |
| Georgia | $43,210 | $45,070 | 50,000 |
| Tennessee | $42,100 | $43,860 | 20,000 |
| West Virginia | $41,670 | $42,360 | 1,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $36,090 | $42,780 | 3,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $35,230 | $37,720 | 60 |
| Guam | $34,870 | $39,620 | 60 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators is the US equivalent of fork-lift truck drivers in the UK, which has a national median of £31,016. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a industrial truck and tractor operators in the US?
The US national median wage for industrial truck and tractor operators is $46,420 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in the US?
Pay ranges from $36,840 at the 10th percentile to $62,520 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay industrial truck and tractor operators the most?
The highest-paying states for industrial truck and tractor operators include District of Columbia ($83,720), New Mexico ($62,150), Delaware ($60,350). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does industrial truck and tractor operators salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($83,720) pays roughly 140% more than Guam ($34,870). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does industrial truck and tractor operators pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Fork-lift truck drivers) has a national median of £31,016. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02