Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

SOC code 53-7051 · O*NET-SOC 53-7051.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation

Industrial truck operators — mostly forklift drivers — move materials around warehouses, factories and yards. Certification is short and often employer-provided, and experienced operators in busy facilities earn well above the median for entry-level work.

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,420

a year

Hourly

$22.32

per hour

10th$36,840Median$46,42090th$62,520

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$48,370

$23.25 per hour

Middle 50%

$40,030 – $54,770

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$36,840 – $62,520

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

774,420

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $36,840; $17.71/hr
25th percentile: $40,030; $19.24/hr
Median percentile: $46,420; $22.32/hr
75th percentile: $54,770; $26.33/hr
90th percentile: $62,520; $30.06/hr

What do industrial truck and tractor operators do?

Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
Weigh materials or products and record weight or other production data on tags or labels.
Perform routine maintenance on vehicles or auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling, or replacing liquefied-gas tank.
Operate or tend automatic stacking, loading, packaging, or cutting machines.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 73% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)73%
Less than a High School Diploma23%
Some College Courses4%

Common questions

How much does an industrial truck and tractor operators earn?

The national median is $46,420 a year. The full range runs from $36,840 at the 10th percentile to $62,520 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an industrial truck and tractor operators without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Active Listening2.9/5
Speaking2.8/5
Critical Thinking2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Mathematics3.0/5
English Language2.8/5
Production and Processing2.8/5
Transportation2.8/5
Customer and Personal Service2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Coordination, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Time Management.