Best cities for a terminal operator
The best cities for terminal operators are Cleveland, OH, Indianapolis, IN, and Detroit, MI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for terminal operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for terminal operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a terminal operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for terminal operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for terminal operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a terminal operator. While the absolute best city for terminal operators is Cleveland, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for terminal operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a terminal operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for terminal operators in 2025
1. Cleveland, OH
Total terminal operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $41,934 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $50,000 Location quotient: 2.54 2. Indianapolis, IN
Total terminal operator jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $41,144 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 5.46 3. Detroit, MI
Total terminal operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $39,929 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 1.91 4. Albuquerque, NM
Total terminal operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $40,911 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 2.01 5. Cincinnati, OH
Total terminal operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $40,352 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $48,000 Location quotient: 0.62 6. Portland, OR
Total terminal operator jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $47,259 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Location quotient: 4.73 7. Las Vegas, NV
Total terminal operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $42,344 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 1.14 8. Philadelphia, PA
Total terminal operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $43,138 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.28 9. Omaha, NE
Total terminal operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,797 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Milwaukee, WI
Total terminal operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $44,833 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for terminal operators
- Cleveland, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Detroit, MI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Cincinnati, OH
- Portland, OR
- Las Vegas, NV
- Philadelphia, PA
- Omaha, NE
- Milwaukee, WI
- (3 terminal operator jobs)
- (16 terminal operator jobs)
- (3 terminal operator jobs)
- (2 terminal operator jobs)
- (1 terminal operator jobs)
- (12 terminal operator jobs)
- (2 terminal operator jobs)
- (1 terminal operator jobs)
- (0 terminal operator jobs)
- (0 terminal operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a terminal operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $41,934 | $35,000 | 385,809 | 3 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,144 | $34,000 | 855,164 | 16 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $39,929 | $33,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $40,911 | $33,000 | 559,277 | 2 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $40,352 | $33,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $47,259 | $40,000 | 639,863 | 12 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $42,344 | $34,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,138 | $35,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 9 | Omaha, NE | $47,797 | $40,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 10 | Milwaukee, WI | $44,833 | $37,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $44,813 | $37,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $41,921 | $35,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 13 | Lincoln, NE | $47,638 | $39,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $47,437 | $40,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 15 | El Paso, TX | $40,994 | $33,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 16 | Saint Paul, MN | $47,432 | $40,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,906 | $35,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $41,658 | $33,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 19 | Wichita, KS | $43,416 | $36,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 20 | Glendale, AZ | $41,671 | $33,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 21 | Columbus, OH | $40,892 | $34,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 22 | Fort Wayne, IN | $41,847 | $35,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 23 | Chandler, AZ | $41,646 | $33,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 24 | Tucson, AZ | $41,639 | $33,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 25 | Reno, NV | $43,231 | $35,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 26 | Gilbert, AZ | $41,634 | $33,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 27 | Scottsdale, AZ | $41,627 | $33,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 28 | Saint Louis, MO | $42,569 | $35,000 | 311,404 | 1 |
| 29 | Mesa, AZ | $41,624 | $33,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 30 | Seattle, WA | $47,494 | $41,000 | 704,352 | 3 |
| 31 | North Las Vegas, NV | $42,323 | $34,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 32 | Louisville, KY | $39,323 | $32,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 33 | Anchorage, AK | $47,473 | $43,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 34 | Henderson, NV | $42,297 | $34,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 35 | Kansas City, MO | $43,076 | $35,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 36 | Denver, CO | $41,939 | $34,000 | 693,060 | 24 |
| 37 | Dallas, TX | $38,912 | $31,000 | 1,317,929 | 7 |
| 38 | Memphis, TN | $35,452 | $29,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 39 | Lexington, KY | $39,142 | $32,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 40 | Laredo, TX | $39,662 | $31,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 41 | Stockton, CA | $41,449 | $33,000 | 307,072 | 19 |
| 42 | San Antonio, TX | $39,376 | $31,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 43 | Chicago, IL | $41,816 | $35,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 44 | Corpus Christi, TX | $39,156 | $31,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 45 | Austin, TX | $39,149 | $31,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 46 | Lubbock, TX | $40,092 | $32,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 47 | Greensboro, NC | $36,563 | $30,000 | 287,027 | 2 |
| 48 | Nashville, TN | $35,776 | $29,000 | 660,388 | 1 |
| 49 | Arlington, TX | $38,964 | $31,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 50 | Irving, TX | $38,954 | $31,000 | 238,289 | - |
Highest paying cities for terminal operators
| Rank | City | Avg. terminal operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $48,591 |
| 2 | Tacoma, WA | $47,489 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $47,259 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $43,076 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $42,463 |
| 6 | Commerce City, CO | $41,955 |
| 7 | Joliet, IL | $41,682 |
| 8 | Elk Grove, CA | $41,462 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,144 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $40,892 |
| 11 | Sioux City, IA | $39,703 |
| 12 | Dallas, TX | $38,912 |
| 13 | Roanoke, VA | $38,079 |
| 14 | North Charleston, SC | $37,009 |
| 15 | Tampa, FL | $36,139 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $35,995 |
| 17 | Memphis, TN | $35,452 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $33,435 |
Terminal operator best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025