Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $43,670 a year ($20.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,310 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $46,420. Pay here is 8% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $47,590. There are 5.7 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $40,830 | $19.63 |
| Median | $43,670 | $20.99 |
| 75th percentile | $49,370 | $23.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Average (mean) | $45,900 | $22.07 |
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 | $3,639.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,819.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,679.62 |
| Weekly | $839.81 |
| Hourly | $20.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,670 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,730 | $28.23 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,010 | $14.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $43,670 a year, or $20.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $56,310 a year. The top 25% earn $49,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $40,830 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 480 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.