SOC 53-7051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — Lexington
Lexington-Fayette, KY · 5 metro areas compared
At $47,490, median pay for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Lexington, KY tracks the national median of $46,420 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,490, median pay for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Lexington, KY tracks the national median of $46,420 closely. Pay ranges from under $36,880 at the tenth percentile to more than $74,510 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,380 to $62,470.
The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Owensboro records the highest median at $50,010. Of the 469 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 321st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,880 | −20.6% |
| 25th | $39,380 | −15.2% |
| Median (50th) | $47,490 | +2.3% |
| 75th | $62,470 | +34.6% |
| 90th | $74,510 | +60.5% |
| Mean | $50,680 | +9.2% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $50,010 | 240 | |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | $48,100 | 170 | |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $46,190 | 4,230 | |
| 4 | Paducah | $39,460 | 100 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $39,110 | 620 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lexington run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $47,490 goes as far as $52,650 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,650US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,490 a year, 2.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,880 to $74,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Owensboro, at $50,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in Lexington, KY?
The median annual wage is $47,490, or $22.83 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,420, so pay in Lexington, KY is 2.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lexington, KY earns more than $74,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,880 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Owensboro, at $50,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,150 jobs in this occupation in Lexington, KY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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