Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Columbia, SC
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $43,500 a year ($20.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,420 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $46,420. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $43,680. There are 4.9 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Median | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| 75th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,420 | $27.60 |
| Average (mean) | $45,110 | $21.69 |
Half of industrial truck and tractor operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,625 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,812.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,673.08 |
| Weekly | $836.54 |
| Hourly | $20.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $46,890 | 2,420 |
| Florence, SC | $44,260 | 700 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,880 | 8,330 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $43,370 | 100 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $41,980 | 230 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $41,980 | 1,450 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,600 | 960 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $41,360 | 2,320 |
| Sumter, SC | $37,480 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for industrial truck and tractor operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $62,150 |
| Delaware | $60,350 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 |
| Alaska | $54,190 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $50,760 |
| Colorado | $50,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 |
See Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,560 | $14.21 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial truck and tractor operators make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $43,500 a year, or $20.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $57,420 a year. The top 25% earn $48,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,980 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $38,080 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,930 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.