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Transportation and Logistics

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
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Median pay

$46,390
Median annual pay for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

76,400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

792,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+9,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mathematics
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Production and Processing
  4. 4Transportation
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Multilimb Coordination
  3. 3Far Vision
  4. 4Response Orientation
  5. 5Manual Dexterity
  6. 6Rate Control

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Performing General Physical Activities
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  4. 4Time Pressure
  5. 5Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  6. 6Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
  • Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
  • Weigh materials or products and record weight or other production data on tags or labels.
  • Perform routine maintenance on vehicles or auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling, or replacing liquefied-gas tank.
  • Operate or tend automatic stacking, loading, packaging, or cutting machines.

Software and tools

Warehouse management system WMS · in demandSAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyAutodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyLilly Software Associates VISUAL DCMSIntelliTrack Warehouse Management System (WMS)Symphony GOLDBarControl Enterprise Manager iBEMMotek Priya

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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