Conveyor Operators and Tenders
SOC code 53-7011 · O*NET-SOC 53-7011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Conveyor Operators and Tenders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$42,420
a year
Hourly
$20.39
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$45,080
$21.68 per hour
Middle 50%
$38,180 – $48,530
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,180 – $59,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
22,930
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,180
- $17.39/hr
- 25th percentile
- $38,180
- $18.35/hr
- Median percentile
- $42,420
- $20.39/hr
- 75th percentile
- $48,530
- $23.33/hr
- 90th percentile
- $59,470
- $28.59/hr
What do conveyor operators and tenders do?
Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Manipulate controls, levers, and valves to start pumps, auxiliary equipment, or conveyors, and to adjust equipment positions, speeds, timing, and material flows.
- Stop equipment or machinery and clear jams, using poles, bars, and hand tools, or remove damaged materials from conveyors.
- Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
- Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
- Distribute materials, supplies, and equipment to work stations, using lifts and trucks.
- Press console buttons to deflect packages to predetermined accumulators or reject lines.
- Thread strapping through strapping tools and secure battens with strapping to form protective pallets around extrusions.
- Observe packages moving along conveyors to identify packages, detect defective packaging, and perform quality control.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 70% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma70%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)24%
- Some College Courses5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate1%
Common questions
How much does a conveyor operators and tenders earn?
The national median is $42,420 a year. The full range runs from $36,180 at the 10th percentile to $59,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a conveyor operators and tenders without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.0/5
- Mechanical3.1/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
- Transportation2.8/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis.