Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $46,760 +0.8% vs national
Median hourly $22.48
10th percentile $38,620
90th percentile $59,800
Employed locally 22,370
National median $46,390

Compare Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary & buying power

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,620
    25th
    $41,230
    50th (median)
    $46,760
    75th
    $50,780
    90th
    $59,800

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary vs area income 53% Median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $81,470
    Flint, MI $76,430
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $65,420
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $63,970
    Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area $63,720
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $63,490

    Nearby metros — Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $63,970
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $58,800
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $53,990
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $53,880
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $51,470
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $51,380

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,940
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$62,430
    Light Truck Drivers$47,270
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,680
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$64,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Chicago, IL-IN is $22.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.54 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salaries?

    The median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.8% above the national median of $46,390. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Chicago?

    Entry-level Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,620 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,230.