Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Iowa
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Iowa earn a median of $47,590 a year ($22.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $46,420. Iowa ranks 24th of 51 states for industrial truck and tractor operators pay. There are 5.0 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| 25th percentile | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Median | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| 75th percentile | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Average (mean) | $48,870 | $23.50 |
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 | $3,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,982.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,830.38 |
| Weekly | $915.19 |
| Hourly | $22.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,850 | 850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $50,770 | 230 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,080 | 1,400 |
| Ames, IA | $48,310 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $47,560 | 530 |
| Iowa City, IA | $46,670 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,470 | 530 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,120 | 2,010 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,670 | 480 |
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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,450 | $24.74 |
| Dredge Operator | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in Iowa is $47,590 a year, or $22.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in Iowa earn at least $61,000 a year. The top 25% earn $52,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,640 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $43,460 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Iowa?
About 7,770 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.