Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator Salary in Louisville, KY
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median $46,190 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,795 take-home, or $3,150 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median industrial truck and tractor operator salary in Louisville, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,363
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,864
- Medicare (1.45%)$670
- Kentucky income tax$1,499
- Take-home pay$37,795
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro spans Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator pay by experience in Louisville, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.13 | $31,285 | $2,607 |
| 25th percentile | $40,650 | $19.54 | $33,537 | $2,795 |
| Median (50th) | $46,190 | $22.21 | $37,795 | $3,150 |
| 75th percentile | $57,240 | $27.52 | $46,287 | $3,857 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,950 | $30.75 | $51,443 | $4,287 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,190 buys in Louisville, KY
Prices in Louisville, KY are 6.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median industrial truck and tractor operator's $37,795 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,607 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Louisville, KY has 1.2× the national concentration of industrial truck and tractor operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for industrial truck and tractor operators, adjusted for cost of living
Louisville, KY ranks #21 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock, AR | $48,710 | $39,632 | $44,348 |
| 2 | Modesto, CA | $55,810 | $44,900 | $43,128 |
| 3 | Jacksonville, FL | $50,670 | $42,893 | $43,116 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,000 | $40,986 | $42,976 |
| 5 | Scranton, PA | $48,860 | $39,939 | $42,690 |
| 6 | Birmingham, AL | $48,570 | $39,042 | $42,602 |
| 7 | Lakeland, FL | $48,290 | $40,981 | $42,187 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $55,600 | $46,855 | $42,161 |
| 21 | Louisville, KY | $46,190 | $37,795 | $40,607 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.5% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial truck and tractor operator make in Louisville, KY?
The median industrial truck and tractor operator salary in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $46,190 a year, or about $22.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,650 and $57,240.
What is a industrial truck and tractor operator’s take-home pay in Louisville, KY?
On the median $46,190 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $37,795 a year ($3,150 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,499 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Louisville, KY a good place to work as a industrial truck and tractor operator?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $46,420. Local prices are 6.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,607 would in a typical U.S. city. Louisville, KY ranks #21 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a industrial truck and tractor operator afford rent in Louisville, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Louisville, KY is $1,026 a month ($1,248 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median industrial truck and tractor operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.