Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
SOC: 53-7051 O*NET: 53-7051.00
Median Salary
$46,390
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
76.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
What does a Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,500
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,780
25th percentile
Median
$46,390
50th percentile
Experienced
$53,680
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,540
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,500
25th
$39,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,390
Mean: $47,830
75th
$53,680
90th
$61,540
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,040 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,780 and $53,680
- •Salary spread is 30.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 805,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:792,500
Top Industries
Warehousing and Storage40%
Warehousing and Storage40%
Manufacturing22.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.1%
Annual Openings:76,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)792,500
Current
2034 (Projected)801,600
+1.1%
+9,100
Employment Change
+1.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
106,350 jobs$45,8201.47x
California
103,090 jobs$48,7201.09x
Georgia
53,020 jobs$44,3302.09x
Pennsylvania
46,220 jobs$47,9001.47x
Ohio
37,440 jobs$46,3401.30x
Florida
32,390 jobs$45,7900.63x
Illinois
28,510 jobs$47,0900.90x
Indiana
27,890 jobs$45,3101.67x
North Carolina
25,640 jobs$42,2501.00x
Michigan
25,120 jobs$44,3801.09x
New York
19,630 jobs$49,6100.39x
Virginia
19,360 jobs$48,3800.91x
New Jersey
17,730 jobs$45,6200.80x
Alabama
16,870 jobs$42,6401.54x
Washington
16,310 jobs$48,2700.88x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
88%
#3
Coordination
76%
#4
Troubleshooting
64%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
52%
#6
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.4
88%
Coordination
intermediate3.8
76%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.2
64%
Equipment Maintenance
basic2.6
52%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators63%
5 shared skills
Pile Driver Operators63%
5 shared skills
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining56%
5 shared skills
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers50%
4 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders50%
5 shared skills
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners50%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Equipment Maintenance
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
9
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Operations & Execution (3)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Perform routine maintenance on vehicles or auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling, or replacing liquefied-gas tank.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Weigh materials or products and record weight or other production data on tags or labels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Operate or tend automatic stacking, loading, packaging, or cutting machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Turn valves and open chutes to dump, spray, or release materials from dump cars or storage bins into hoppers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •78% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.40
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.31
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.11
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.01
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.84
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Integrity
4.0
Cooperation
3.8
Independence
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Persistence
3.7
Concern for Others
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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