Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in Ames, IA
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $48,310 a year ($23.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,540 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $46,420. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $47,590. There are 2.0 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $49,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 25th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Median | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| 75th percentile | $54,490 | $26.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| Average (mean) | $49,290 | $23.70 |
Half of industrial truck and tractor operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,858.08 |
| Weekly | $929.04 |
| Hourly | $23.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,850 | 850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $50,770 | 230 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,080 | 1,400 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $47,560 | 530 |
| Iowa City, IA | $46,670 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,470 | 530 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,120 | 2,010 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,670 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for industrial truck and tractor operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $62,150 |
| Delaware | $60,350 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 |
| Alaska | $54,190 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $50,760 |
| Colorado | $50,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 |
See Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,070 | $14.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial truck and tractor operators make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in the Ames, IA metro area is $48,310 a year, or $23.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $54,540 a year. The top 25% earn $54,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,560 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $44,720 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in Ames, IA?
About 110 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.