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.

Also called: Checker Loader, Fork Lift Technician, Fork Truck Driver, Forklift Driver, Forklift Operator, Lift Truck Operator, Shag Truck Driver, Spotter Driver, Tow Motor Operator, Truck Driver, Carry All Driver, CAT Driver (Caterpillar Driver), CAT Operator (Caterpillar Operator), CAT Skinner (Caterpillar Skinner), CAT Tender (Caterpillar Tender), CAT Tractor Operator (Caterpillar Tractor Operator), Charging Car Operator, Diesel Tractor Operator, Dolly Driver, Drier Transfer Car Operator, Electric Car Operator, Electric Dolly Operator, Electric Lift Truck Driver, Electric Mule Driver, Electric Mule Operator, Electric Pallet Jack Operator, Electric Truck Driver, Electric Truck Operator, Electric Trucker, Euclid Operator, Finger Lift Operator, Fork Operator, Forklift Technician, Forklift Truck Operator, Hauler, Heavy Machinery Operator, Hi Lift Operator, Hi Lo Driver, Hi Low Truck Driver, Hi Ranger Operator, High Lift Driver, High Lift Mule Operator, High Lift Operator, Hot Car Operator, Hydraulic Lift Driver (Hy Lift Driver), Hydraulic Lift Operator (Hy Lift Operator), Hyster Driver, Hyster Machine Operator, Industrial Tractor Driver, Industrial Truck Driver, Industrial Truck Operator, Inside Trucker, Kiln Transfer Operator, Larry Operator, Lift Driver, Lift Operator, Lifter Driver, Log Carrier Operator, Lumber Carrier Operator, Marsh Buggy Operator, Mold Car Pusher, Mule Operator, Package Lift Operator, Power Mule Operator, Power Truck Driver, Quencher Operator, Quenching Car Operator, Reach Truck Operator, Reach-Lift Truck Driver, Skidder Driver, Skidder Lever Operator, Skidder Loader, Skidder Operator, Skidder Runner, Skip Load Driver, Skip Operator, Snaker, Stacker Driver, Stacker Operator, Straddle Bug Driver, Straddle Bug Operator, Straddle Carrier Operator, Straddle Truck Driver, Straddle Truck Operator, Tier Lift Operator, Tier Truck Driver, Tow Driver, Tow Motor Driver, Tractor Driver, Tractor Driver Teamster, Tractor Operator, Transfer Car Operator, Travelift Operator, Uke Driver, Uke Operator, Unloader Operator, Warehouse Driver, Waste Transportation Technician, Wheel Loader Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Coordination
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Time Management
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses (4.05% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

40,030–54,770 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 53-7051.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses (4.05% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators