Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $46,100 -0.6% vs national
Median hourly $22.17
10th percentile $38,890
90th percentile $57,220
Employed locally 270
National median $46,390

Compare Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary & buying power

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,890
    25th
    $39,310
    50th (median)
    $46,100
    75th
    $48,100
    90th
    $57,220

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary vs area income 42% Median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary is 58% 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
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $57,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,250
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $55,360
    Modesto, CA $55,330
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $55,020
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $54,540

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,860
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41,170
    Light Truck Drivers$45,250
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59,110
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$35,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Santa Cruz, CA is $22.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 0.6% below 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,890 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,310.