Occupation · SOC 53-7051
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.
Median wage
$46,390
$36,500–$61,540
Projected growth
+1.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
910
per year
Employed (US)
805,770
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingTime ManagementEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessWritingRepairingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationService OrientationMathematicsLearning StrategiesActive LearningSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationInstructingEquipment SelectionManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
MathematicsEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementAdministrativePublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingMechanicalLaw and GovernmentBuilding and ConstructionComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesEngineering and TechnologyCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingTelecommunicationsDesignEconomics and AccountingBiologyChemistryFood ProductionGeographyPsychologyPhysicsTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
ATMS StockTrack PLUSArgos Software ABECAS Insight WMSAutodesk AutoCADBarControl Enterprise Manager iBEMIntelliTrack Warehouse Management System (WMS)Inventory management softwareInventory management systemsLilly Software Associates VISUAL DCMSMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordMotek PriyaRedPrairie DLx WarehouseSAP softwareSSA Global Supply Chain ManagementSymphony GOLDWarehouse management system WMS
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsHandling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGetting InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesCoaching and Developing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleTraining and Teaching OthersWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProcessing InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersThinking CreativelyAnalyzing Data or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Forklift operating levers and lift controls — identify and activate under direct supervisor guidance in a warehouse training environment.Gasoline- and electric-powered industrial trucks — operate at slow speeds along designated travel paths under close observation on a warehouse floor.Pallets and skids — manually load and unload materials following step-by-step instructions in a distribution center setting.Lifting device forks — position under loaded pallets under supervisor direction to practice secure material pickup in a staging area.Product loads — inspect for visible accuracy against a printed pick list before moving, with supervisor verification in a warehouse facility.Pre-shift safety checklist — complete for forklift fluid levels, tires, and horn under technician guidance at a depot or warehouse.Basic traffic patterns and pedestrian zones — recognize and follow posted floor markings during initial on-the-job orientation in a facility.Warehouse inventory software entry screens — navigate and record completed moves with assistance from a lead operator at a workstation terminal.Control precision and multilimb coordination — practice simultaneously managing steering, throttle, and lift lever on a forklift during supervised drills.Material weights and load capacity ratings — read and reference posted charts to avoid overloading equipment under trainer supervision on-site.
developing
Forklift lift beams, swivel-hooks, and elevating platforms — operate with routine proficiency to load, unload, and stack materials in a busy warehouse without close oversight.Electric- and gasoline-powered trucks and tractors — drive along established facility routes, transporting materials between receiving, processing, and storage areas independently.Mixed pallet loads and skids — manually and mechanically load or unload from transport vehicles, adjusting technique for varying weights and configurations in a distribution center.Loaded pallets and product boxes — secure and position with lifting devices for transport to designated storage or shipping areas following facility procedures.Product load accuracy — inspect outbound shipments against work orders and safely route corrected loads through the warehouse to meet delivery schedules.Daily forklift maintenance tasks — perform fluid top-offs, battery charging, and minor adjustments, logging findings in maintenance records at a depot or warehouse.Inventory management software — enter and update stock movement records routinely, resolving minor data discrepancies at a warehouse workstation.Time management across concurrent pick-and-move tasks — coordinate multiple material transfers within shift deadlines in a fast-paced fulfillment center.Depth perception and rate control — apply consistently when stacking loads at height in multi-tier racking systems within a storage facility.Basic troubleshooting of equipment malfunctions — identify warning indicators, report issues, and remove unsafe equipment from service in a warehouse or manufacturing plant.
proficient
Full range of lifting devices including hoists and elevated platforms — operate autonomously to handle non-standard load shapes and weights across a large industrial facility.Powered industrial trucks and tractors — drive and maneuver through congested, high-traffic areas of a manufacturing plant or distribution center with precision and speed control.Complex mixed loads on pallets, cars, and flatbeds — load and unload mechanically and manually, adapting methods for fragile, hazardous, or oversized materials in varied facility environments.Non-standard load configurations — position lifting devices and apply customized securing techniques to safely transport unstable or irregularly shaped products within a warehouse or plant.Inbound and outbound product accuracy — independently audit load contents against ERP system records, resolving discrepancies and rerouting mis-picked loads in a distribution operation.Equipment performance anomalies — troubleshoot hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical issues on forklifts and tractors, coordinating maintenance intervention to minimize downtime in a facility.Inventory management and logistics software — use proficiently to track stock movements, generate reports, and support supply chain visibility across a warehouse or distribution network.Shift workflow coordination — independently sequence multiple material movement tasks to optimize throughput and meet time-sensitive shipping cut-offs in a fulfillment center.Auditory attention and response orientation — apply under high-noise industrial conditions to detect equipment alerts, spotter signals, and pedestrian warnings in a plant or dock environment.Safety incident root-cause analysis — conduct after near-misses or minor incidents, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions to facility supervisors.
advanced
Facility-wide material handling operations — direct and schedule the full scope of forklift and tractor activities across shifts to meet organizational throughput and safety targets.Operator training programs — design and deliver hands-on forklift certification and safety curricula, mentoring new and developing operators in a warehouse or distribution center.Equipment fleet maintenance strategy — lead scheduled inspection cycles, coordinate with service vendors, and set preventive maintenance standards that reduce downtime across a facility.Warehouse layout and traffic flow — evaluate and redesign travel paths, racking configurations, and dock assignments to improve operational efficiency and reduce collision risk.ERP and logistics software integration — champion adoption of inventory and supply chain platforms, training staff and establishing data-entry standards to ensure system accuracy.Cross-functional coordination with receiving, shipping, and production teams — lead daily stand-ups and process alignment meetings to eliminate material movement bottlenecks at an industrial facility.Organizational safety culture — set and enforce standards for load inspection, speed limits, and PPE compliance, driving measurable reduction in recordable incidents across a site.Operational performance metrics — track and report KPIs such as moves per hour, equipment utilization, and order accuracy to site leadership, using data to drive continuous improvement.Workforce dependability and stress tolerance standards — model and reinforce professional conduct expectations, managing performance issues and recognizing high performers across an operator team.Capital equipment procurement decisions — evaluate new forklift models, attachments, and automation technologies, presenting cost-benefit analyses and recommendations to plant or operations management.
Also known as
99 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Carry All DriverCAT Driver (Caterpillar Driver)CAT Operator (Caterpillar Operator)CAT Skinner (Caterpillar Skinner)CAT Tender (Caterpillar Tender)CAT Tractor Operator (Caterpillar Tractor Operator)Charging Car OperatorChecker LoaderDiesel Tractor OperatorDolly DriverDrier Transfer Car OperatorElectric Car OperatorElectric Dolly OperatorElectric Lift Truck DriverElectric Mule DriverElectric Mule OperatorElectric Pallet Jack OperatorElectric Truck DriverElectric Truck OperatorElectric TruckerEuclid OperatorFinger Lift OperatorFork Lift TechnicianFork OperatorFork Truck DriverForklift DriverForklift OperatorForklift TechnicianForklift Truck OperatorHaulerHeavy Machinery OperatorHi Lift OperatorHi Lo DriverHi Low Truck DriverHi Ranger OperatorHigh Lift DriverHigh Lift Mule OperatorHigh Lift OperatorHot Car OperatorHydraulic Lift Driver (Hy Lift Driver)