Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Salary in Topeka, KS
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Topeka, KS make a median of $48,560 a year, or about $23.35 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.82), which stretches that salary to about $54,672 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,057/month — about 31.9% 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 Topeka?
About industrial truck and tractor operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Topeka, KS
Entry-level industrial truck and tractor operators (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $55K or more - a $16K 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 Topeka numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial truck and tractor operators make in Topeka, KS?
The median is $48,560 a year - that works out to about $23.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,910, and experienced industrial truck and tractor operators can clear $54,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Topeka?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,245/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,057/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.6% 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 Topeka?
Topeka has a Regional Price Parity of 88.82 (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 $54,672 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.