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Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator

Also called: Fork Truck Driver, Forklift Driver, Forklift Operator, Spotter Driver

Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Transportation
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Median pay
$46,420/yr
Typical range
$36,840 – $62,520
Outlook
Fewer openings expected

What does an Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator do?

  • Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
  • Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
  • Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.

How to become an Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator

Training: A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma. Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Is it a fit for you?

  • Cautiousness
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail

Tools and technology

Microsoft ExcelInventory management systemsRedPrairie DLx WarehouseSymphony GOLDWarehouse management system WMS

Questions people ask

How much does an Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator make?

About $46,420 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $36,840 and $62,520. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become an Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator?

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Do you need a college degree to be an Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator?

No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma.

Is Industrial Truck & Tractor Operator a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.