Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,650
- 25th Percentile — Junior$43,210
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,770
- 75th Percentile — Senior$58,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,330
Half of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in California earn more than $47,770. The top 10% make $63,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,650.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 17th of 51 states for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay, at $50,360 per year (4.1% above the U.S. average of $48,370).
- 89,620 people work as Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in California — 11.6% of all U.S. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.99: Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,650; the top 10% earn over $63,330.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.21 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $76,770.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($310,190).
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators here earn $50,360 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $50,360 is roughly equivalent to $35,465 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Utah ($51,920), Maine ($51,710), Connecticut ($50,940) are the closest alternatives for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $310,190/yr California +515.9% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $202,040/yr California +301.2% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $156,910/yr California +211.6% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $129,580/yr California +157.3% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California +75.7% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $75,600/yr California +50.1% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California +23.2% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California +5.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in California?
The average Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in California is $50,360 per year (median $47,770), which is 4.1% above the national average of $48,370.
How does California rank for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay?
California ranks 17th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($76,770/yr).
How much do entry-level Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in California earn about $38,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,210.
How much do Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators make per hour in California?
About $24.21 per hour, based on the $50,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators work in California?
BLS counts 89,620 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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