Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Lake Charles, LA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $43,770 a year ($21.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,240 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $46,420. Pay here is 11% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $48,950. There are 2.9 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $44,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Median | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| 75th percentile | $47,680 | $22.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,240 | $26.56 |
| Average (mean) | $44,510 | $21.40 |
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 | $3,647.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,823.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,683.46 |
| Weekly | $841.73 |
| Hourly | $21.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hammond, LA | $53,780 | 550 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $51,260 | 730 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $48,160 | 1,410 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $47,530 | 1,090 |
| Lafayette, LA | $46,600 | 390 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,070 | 140 |
| Monroe, LA | $41,850 | 230 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $41,210 | 170 |
| Alexandria, LA | $39,010 | 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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,550 | $13.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $43,770 a year, or $21.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $55,240 a year. The top 25% earn $47,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,010 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $39,040 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 290 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.