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Tugger operator salary
Average tugger operator salary
$15.61
Average Tugger Operator Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a tugger operator stands at $32,478 per year or $16 per hour. This salary can differ significantly based on several factors, including experience level and geographic location.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience is a significant determinant; entry-level positions may start around $29,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $37,000. Additionally, states like California and Texas offer higher pay ranges, reflecting the demand in these markets.
Job Opportunities
The demand for tugger operators is prevalent across various industries, particularly in manufacturing and logistics. Companies often seek candidates who can efficiently handle material movement and ensure smooth operations. To maximize earning potential, consider pursuing roles with additional responsibilities or specialized training.
For those looking to enter or advance in this field, Zippia provides a comprehensive job board with listings tailored to your qualifications and salary expectations.
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Where can a Tugger Operator earn more?
Tugger operator salaries by experience level
Tugger operator salary estimates from across the web
Average tugger operator salary by state
The average tugger operator salary in Alaska, North Dakota, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average tugger operator salary states are New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for tugger operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| 2 | Ohio | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $37,585 | $18.07 |
| 5 | Illinois | $36,641 | $17.62 |
| 6 | Arkansas | $36,675 | $17.63 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $34,225 | $16.45 |
| 8 | Iowa | $34,174 | $16.43 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $38,169 | $18.35 |
| 10 | Kentucky | $33,481 | $16.10 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $33,756 | $16.23 |
| 12 | Colorado | $38,088 | $18.31 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $36,675 | $17.63 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $34,234 | $16.46 |
| 15 | Utah | $33,477 | $16.09 |
| 16 | Arizona | $35,142 | $16.90 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $36,159 | $17.38 |
| 18 | Nevada | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| 19 | Missouri | $33,959 | $16.33 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $32,205 | $15.48 |
| 21 | Indiana | $32,647 | $15.70 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $34,306 | $16.49 |
| 23 | New York | $37,291 | $17.93 |
| 24 | Maryland | $36,811 | $17.70 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $33,745 | $16.22 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $32,012 | $15.39 |
| 27 | California | $34,192 | $16.44 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $32,183 | $15.47 |
| 29 | Montana | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| 30 | Georgia | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 31 | Washington | $34,073 | $16.38 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $32,746 | $15.74 |
| 33 | Virginia | $33,917 | $16.31 |
| 34 | Michigan | $32,478 | $15.61 |
| 35 | Idaho | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| 36 | Kansas | $31,708 | $15.24 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $33,073 | $15.90 |
| 38 | Maine | $32,208 | $15.48 |
| 39 | Oregon | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 40 | Texas | $31,588 | $15.19 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $31,517 | $15.15 |
| 42 | Delaware | $32,930 | $15.83 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $31,194 | $15.00 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $30,634 | $14.73 |
| 46 | Vermont | $29,535 | $14.20 |
| 47 | Alabama | $29,932 | $14.39 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $30,909 | $14.86 |
| 49 | Florida | $29,917 | $14.38 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $30,155 | $14.50 |
Highest paying cities for tugger operators
The highest-paying cities for tugger operators are Findlay, OH, OFallon, MO, and Georgetown, KY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Findlay, OH | $38,008 | $18.27 |
| 2 | OFallon, MO | $33,932 | $16.31 |
| 3 | Georgetown, KY | $33,473 | $16.09 |
| 4 | Shelby, MI | $32,504 | $15.63 |
| 5 | Columbus, IN | $32,479 | $15.61 |
| 6 | Smyrna, TN | $32,245 | $15.50 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $31,564 | $15.18 |
| 8 | Statesville, NC | $27,777 | $13.35 |
Tugger operator salary details
A tugger operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a tugger operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,478 | $2,707 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying tugger operator jobs
The highest paying types of tugger operators are dock worker/forklift operator, mechanical spreader operator, and terminal operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift Driver | $33,476 | $2,790 | $16.09 | 116,516 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | $42,262 | $3,522 | $20.32 | 60,297 |
| Warehouse Machine Operator | $33,796 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 229,051 |
| Cherry Picker Operator | $33,956 | $2,830 | $16.32 | 105,023 |
Top companies hiring tugger operators now:
Which companies pay tugger operators the most?
Tugger operator salaries at VisionCorp Rep and Flex-N-Gate are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average tugger operator salary at companies like LSC Communications and Goodman Manufacturing are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VisionCorp Rep | $36,726 | $17.66 |
| 2 | Flex-N-Gate | $35,951 | $17.28 |
| 3 | LSC Communications | $35,168 | $16.91 |
| 4 | Goodman Manufacturing | $34,327 | $16.50 |
| 5 | SK Holding Company, Inc. | $33,267 | $15.99 |
| 6 | IH Services | $33,234 | $15.98 |
| 7 | SBM Management Services | $32,799 | $15.77 |
| 8 | Aerotek | $32,364 | $15.56 |
| 9 | Kelly Services | $32,262 | $15.51 |
| 10 | Adecco | $32,092 | $15.43 |
| 11 | Chase Professionals | $31,943 | $15.36 |
| 12 | Elwood Staffing | $31,853 | $15.31 |
| 13 | Automation Personnel Services | $31,754 | $15.27 |
| 14 | Onin Staffing | $31,754 | $15.27 |
| 15 | NESCO | $31,645 | $15.21 |
| 16 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $31,627 | $15.21 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Tugger operator salary trends
The average tugger operator salary has risen by $6,528 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average tugger operator earned $25,950 annually, but today, they earn $32,478 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for tugger operators over the last decade.
Compare tugger operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average tugger operator salary over time
Compare tugger operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Tugger operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,500 | $15.61 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $31,300 | $15.05 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $30,000 | $14.45 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $29,100 | $13.98 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $28,100 | $13.49 | +1.1% |
Recently added tugger operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathis Home | Tugger Operator (Overnight) | Ontario, CA | 06/19/2025 | $34,436 |
| Selecsource | Forklift/Tugger Operators for 1ST. Shift | Nunez, GA | 06/02/2025 | $35,479 |
| SBM Management | Tugger | Wichita, KS | 03/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| ABM Industries | Tugger Operator | Hagerstown, MD | 03/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Selecsource | Forklift and Tugger Operators for 1ST. Shift | Nunez, GA | 03/20/2025 | $35,479 |
| Selecsource | Forklift/Tugger Operators for 1ST. Shift | Nunez, GA | 02/10/2025 | $35,479 |
| SBM Management | Tugger | Wichita, KS | 02/09/2025 | $29,218 |
| Selecsource | Forklift/Tugger Operators-2Nd Shift | Nunez, GA | 01/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| ABM Industries | Tugger Operator | Hagerstown, MD | 01/26/2025 | $36,523 |
| Toro | Tugger-The Toro Company | El Paso, TX | 01/26/2025 | $22,957 |
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