Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Kentucky
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $46,630 a year ($22.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,840 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $46,420. Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 states for industrial truck and tractor operators pay. There are 5.6 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| 25th percentile | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Median | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 75th percentile | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,840 | $34.06 |
| Average (mean) | $49,630 | $23.86 |
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 | $3,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,942.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,793.46 |
| Weekly | $896.73 |
| Hourly | $22.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY | $50,010 | 240 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,000 | 6,920 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $48,100 | 170 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,490 | 1,150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $46,190 | 4,230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $44,910 | 590 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,740 | 260 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,460 | 100 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $39,110 | 620 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in Kentucky is $46,630 a year, or $22.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in Kentucky earn at least $70,840 a year. The top 25% earn $59,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,540 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $38,820 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Kentucky?
About 11,270 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.