Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Tennessee
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $42,100 a year ($20.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,660 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $46,420. Tennessee ranks 50th of 51 states for industrial truck and tractor operators pay. There are 6.1 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Median | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| 75th percentile | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,660 | $26.28 |
| Average (mean) | $43,860 | $21.09 |
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 | $3,508.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,754.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,619.23 |
| Weekly | $809.62 |
| Hourly | $20.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | $44,990 | 210 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $44,910 | 590 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,600 | 6,000 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,540 | 7,950 |
| Cleveland, TN | $43,020 | 360 |
| Knoxville, TN | $42,410 | 1,640 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,720 | 590 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,260 | 1,670 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,570 | 310 |
| Jackson, TN | $38,570 | 700 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in Tennessee is $42,100 a year, or $20.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in Tennessee earn at least $54,660 a year. The top 25% earn $47,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $37,740 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Tennessee?
About 20,070 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.