Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Lake Charles, LA make a median of $38,230 a year, or about $18.38 an hour. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $44,531 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,217/month — about 46.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $38K get you in Lake Charles?
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level industrial truck and tractor operators (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $55K or more - a $25K 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 Lake Charles numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial truck and tractor operators make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $38,230 a year - that works out to about $18.38 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,940, and experienced industrial truck and tractor operators can clear $54,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,635/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.2% 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 Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Regional Price Parity of 85.85 (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 $44,531 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.