Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $43,550 a year, or about $20.94 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $40,028 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 103.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $44K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level industrial truck and tractor operators (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K.Top earners bring in $60K or more - a $22K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial truck and tractor operators make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $43,550 a year - that works out to about $20.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,600, and experienced industrial truck and tractor operators can clear $59,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,009/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 103.8% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $40,028 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.