Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $51,470 +11% vs national
Median hourly $24.75
10th percentile $39,160
90th percentile $58,340
Employed locally 1,730
National median $46,390

Compare Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary & buying power

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,160
    25th
    $44,620
    50th (median)
    $51,470
    75th
    $52,620
    90th
    $58,340

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary vs area income 61% Median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary is 39% 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
    District of Columbia $81,470
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $65,420
    Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $60,390
    Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $55,320
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $55,020
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $53,990

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,880
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $44,530
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,330
    Light Truck Drivers $45,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,260
    Driver/Sales Workers $42,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Des Moines, IA is $24.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.13 or more per hour.

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

    The median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Des Moines, IA is 11% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,160 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,620.