Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY make a median of $48,710 a year, or about $23.42 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.84), that's roughly $50,824 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,343/month — about 39.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Entry-level industrial truck and tractor operators (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $75K or more - a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $81K | +76% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $61K | +31% | 2,430 |
| Delaware | $60K | +29% | 6,980 |
| Hawaii | $58K | +25% | 860 |
| Wyoming | $56K | +21% | 750 |
| Alaska | $51K | +9% | 560 |
| New Hampshire | $50K | +9% | 1,430 |
| Oregon | $50K | +8% | 8,770 |
| New York | $50K | +7% | 19,630 |
| California | $49K | +5% | 103,090 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +4% | 7,470 |
| Virginia | $48K | +4% | 19,360 |
| Washington | $48K | +4% | 16,310 |
| Kansas | $48K | +4% | 8,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $48K | +3% | 46,220 |
Track industrial truck and tractor operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Buffalo-Cheektowaga numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial truck and tractor operators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median is $48,710 a year - that works out to about $23.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,730, and experienced industrial truck and tractor operators can clear $74,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,259/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,343/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a industrial truck and tractor operators salary go in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
Buffalo-Cheektowaga has a Regional Price Parity of 95.84 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median industrial truck and tractor operators salary is worth about $50,824 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do industrial truck and tractor operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.