Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $44,090 a year ($21.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,790 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $46,420. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $43,420. There are 2.1 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $45,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Median | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 75th percentile | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,790 | $27.79 |
| Average (mean) | $45,120 | $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 | $3,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,695.77 |
| Weekly | $847.88 |
| Hourly | $21.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $51,450 | 1,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47,040 | 3,610 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,010 | 700 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,140 | 2,650 |
| Burlington, NC | $44,910 | 590 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,880 | 8,330 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $43,100 | 1,560 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $42,850 | 870 |
| Greenville, NC | $42,280 | 130 |
| Wilmington, NC | $42,210 | 350 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $41,510 | 2,890 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $40,230 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $39,430 | 410 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,420 | 350 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $36,710 | 60 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $53,280 | $25.61 |
| Light Truck Driver | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,280 | $14.56 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $44,090 a year, or $21.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $57,790 a year. The top 25% earn $48,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,270 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $38,840 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 710 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.