SOC 53-7051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators — South Central Tennessee
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $45,120, median pay for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Central Tennessee, TN tracks the national median of $46,420 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,120, median pay for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Central Tennessee, TN tracks the national median of $46,420 closely. Pay ranges from under $36,160 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,530 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,720 to $50,770.
Employment stands at 960, or 8.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Johnson City records the highest median at $44,990. Of the 322 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 192nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,160 | −22.1% |
| 25th | $38,720 | −16.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,120 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $50,770 | +9.4% |
| 90th | $61,530 | +32.6% |
| Mean | $46,810 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson City | $44,990 | 210 | |
| 2 | Clarksville | $44,910 | 590 | |
| 3 | Nashville | $44,600 | 6,000 | |
| 4 | Memphis | $44,540 | 7,950 | |
| 5 | Cleveland | $43,020 | 360 | |
| 6 | Knoxville | $42,410 | 1,640 | |
| 7 | Kingsport | $40,720 | 590 | |
| 8 | Chattanooga | $40,260 | 1,670 | |
| 9 | Morristown | $39,570 | 310 | |
| 10 | Jackson | $38,570 | 700 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $45,120 goes as far as $49,097 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,120as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,097US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,120 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,160 to $61,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Johnson City, at $44,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $45,120, or $21.69 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 Tennessee, TN is 2.8% lower. 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 Tennessee, TN earns more than $61,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,160 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 Johnson City, at $44,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in South Central Tennessee, TN. 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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