Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $50,560 a year, or about $24.31 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $45,789 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 105.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level industrial truck and tractor operators (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $68K or more - a $24K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial truck and tractor operators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $50,560 a year - that works out to about $24.31 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,640, and experienced industrial truck and tractor operators can clear $67,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,445/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 101.1% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median industrial truck and tractor operators salary is worth about $45,789 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.