SOC 53-7051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — South Central Kentucky
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Central Kentucky, KY comes to $50,610 a year, ahead of the national median of $46,420 by 9.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Central Kentucky, KY comes to $50,610 a year, ahead of the national median of $46,420 by 9.0%. Pay ranges from under $34,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $70,310 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,820 to $59,490.
Employment stands at 1,630, or 9.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Owensboro records the highest median at $50,010. Of the 365 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 165th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,170 | −26.4% |
| 25th | $37,820 | −18.5% |
| Median (50th) | $50,610 | +9.0% |
| 75th | $59,490 | +28.2% |
| 90th | $70,310 | +51.5% |
| Mean | $49,940 | +7.6% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $50,010 | 240 | |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | $48,100 | 170 | |
| 3 | Lexington | $47,490 | 1,150 | |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $46,190 | 4,230 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $39,460 | 100 | |
| 6 | Bowling Green | $39,110 | 620 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $50,610 goes as far as $56,109 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,610as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,109US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,610 a year, 9.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,170 to $70,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,630 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 South Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $50,610, or $24.33 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 South Central Kentucky, KY is 9.0% 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 South Central Kentucky, KY earns more than $70,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,170 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 1,630 jobs in this occupation in South Central Kentucky, 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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