Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
SOC code 53-7121 · O*NET-SOC 53-7121.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$58,870
a year
Hourly
$28.30
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$59,970
$28.83 per hour
Middle 50%
$46,300 – $70,060
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$39,460 – $83,160
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
10,700
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $39,460
- $18.97/hr
- 25th percentile
- $46,300
- $22.26/hr
- Median percentile
- $58,870
- $28.30/hr
- 75th percentile
- $70,060
- $33.69/hr
- 90th percentile
- $83,160
- $39.98/hr
What do tank car, truck, and ship loaders do?
Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
- Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
- Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
- Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
- Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
- Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
- Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 81% 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
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)81%
- Less than a High School Diploma12%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4%
- Bachelor's Degree2%
Common questions
How much does a tank car, truck, and ship loaders earn?
The national median is $58,870 a year. The full range runs from $39,460 at the 10th percentile to $83,160 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 tank car, truck, and ship loaders 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
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation3.5/5
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Mechanical2.9/5
- Education and Training2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving.