Salary data · Bespree
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator Salary in New York City
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the New York City area earn a median of $22.97/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $47,778/year, $919/week, or $3,978/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What industrial truck and tractor operators do
Industrial truck and tractor operators, commonly known as forklift operators, drive industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around warehouses, storage yards, factories, and construction sites. They load and unload materials, stack and retrieve items from racks, move materials from production areas to shipping docks, and keep records of materials moved. They inspect their vehicles before each shift to ensure safe operation.
Work environment
Forklift operators work in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and freight yards. The work involves sitting in operator cabs for extended periods and operating machinery in areas where other workers are present, requiring constant vigilance. Many work environments are noisy and may lack climate control. Schedules may include shifts, weekends, and overtime.
How to become one
No formal education is required, but a high school diploma is often preferred. OSHA requires that all forklift operators be trained and certified by their employers. Training covers vehicle inspection, load handling, safety rules, and hazard recognition. Certification must be renewed every three years.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $17.95 | $37,336 |
| 25th percentile | $20.48 | $42,598 |
| Median (50th) | $22.97 | $47,778 |
| 75th percentile | $29.75 | $61,880 |
| Top earners (90th) | $35.09 | $72,987 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How New York City compares
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York City | $22.97 |
| Philadelphia | $25.96 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $24.66 |
| New Haven | $23.10 |
| Miami | $22.57 |
| Chicago | $22.48 |
| Los Angeles | $22.39 |
| Houston | $22.23 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $19.83 |
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔴 Declining
-2.6% projected growth, 2024–2034
-19,800
2024–2034
~97,600
New + replacement
768,800
2024 estimate
No formal credential
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for industrial truck and tractor operators.
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- English Language
- Forklifts
- Pallet jacks
- Order pickers
- Warehouse management systems
- Two-way radios
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $22.97 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $22.21/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $19.80/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
Public-sector pay signals
—
No current imported salary signals for this role
BLS estimates 22,630 industrial truck and tractor operators employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 3.3 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.