Conveyor Operator and Tender Salary
Conveyor Operators and Tenders earn a median $42,420 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$42,420
$20.39 per hour
Range
$36,180 – $59,470
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
22,930
across the U.S.
▲2.9%
Pay trend: The median for conveyor operators and tenders in the U.S. rose from $41,230 (May 2024) to $42,420 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What 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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.6% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,200
- Self-employed
- 21%
Employment of conveyor operators and tenders is projected to shrink 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Conveyor Operator and Tender take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$36,264
per year · effective tax rate 14.5%
$3,022Monthly
$1,511Twice a month
$1,395Every 2 weeks
$17.43Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,910
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,630
- Medicare (1.45%)$615
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,264
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,180 | $17.39 | $31,251 |
| 25th percentile | $38,180 | $18.36 | $32,858 |
| Median (50th) | $42,420 | $20.39 | $36,264 |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | $41,174 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,470 | $28.59 | $49,964 |
Conveyor Operator and Tender salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $62,830 | −0.6% | $50,570 | $39,400 – $74,810 | 580 |
| Iowa | $56,900 | +19.2% | $46,389 | $43,190 – $63,780 | 590 |
| Maryland | $56,120 | +49.5% | $44,970 | $34,610 – $70,840 | 30 |
| Alabama | $55,970 | +2.7% | $44,618 | $46,080 – $62,540 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $54,590 | +14.1% | $44,792 | $33,650 – $64,750 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $52,480 | −30.5% | $44,348 | $37,210 – $112,060 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $50,750 | +33.9% | $41,701 | $36,540 – $56,790 | 210 |
| Utah | $48,620 | +19.5% | $40,024 | $41,410 – $64,390 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $47,770 | — | $40,563 | $37,140 – $121,540 | 80 |
| Indiana | $46,300 | +2.0% | $38,046 | $37,300 – $99,970 | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,130 | +1.2% | $37,056 | $36,940 – $63,770 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $44,890 | +4.2% | $38,249 | $36,180 – $52,480 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $44,800 | −19.9% | $36,726 | $39,180 – $58,390 | 780 |
| Illinois | $44,290 | +0.1% | $35,719 | $36,530 – $59,310 | 480 |
| Missouri | $44,100 | +2.8% | $36,479 | $36,490 – $56,950 | 290 |
| Washington | $43,480 | −1.2% | $37,116 | $37,550 – $59,110 | 640 |
| Oregon | $43,410 | +1.8% | $34,091 | $40,680 – $59,000 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $43,360 | +9.4% | $35,926 | $37,460 – $48,440 | 1,180 |
| California | $43,150 | +3.6% | $35,575 | $39,890 – $51,400 | 2,460 |
| Massachusetts | $43,150 | +9.1% | $34,914 | $38,710 – $43,170 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $43,000 | +1.1% | $35,249 | $37,660 – $51,570 | 460 |
| Hawaii | $42,880 | — | $34,863 | $42,880 – $43,890 | — |
| New York | $42,670 | −0.9% | $34,758 | $34,730 – $53,560 | 720 |
| Idaho | $40,750 | +1.8% | $33,871 | $37,200 – $49,660 | 240 |
| Texas | $40,650 | +8.1% | $34,842 | $33,840 – $58,900 | 2,380 |
| Georgia | $40,630 | +11.8% | $33,340 | $36,720 – $53,100 | 600 |
| Colorado | $40,480 | +1.9% | $33,633 | $37,590 – $56,690 | 370 |
| Vermont | $40,390 | — | $33,714 | $39,190 – $40,390 | 50 |
| Kansas | $40,030 | +0.4% | $32,910 | $31,770 – $56,100 | 840 |
| Virginia | $39,840 | +2.9% | $32,715 | $34,820 – $58,470 | 820 |
| Ohio | $39,610 | +5.4% | $33,700 | $38,000 – $49,960 | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $39,550 | −2.9% | $32,999 | $37,890 – $59,890 | 450 |
| Michigan | $39,340 | −9.2% | $32,368 | $35,610 – $56,950 | 410 |
| Arizona | $39,260 | +1.8% | $32,953 | $36,490 – $44,670 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $39,160 | +2.8% | $32,591 | $37,320 – $47,620 | 840 |
| Montana | $38,760 | −15.9% | $32,259 | $37,240 – $57,200 | 370 |
| Nevada | $38,450 | +7.1% | $33,075 | $37,440 – $49,570 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $38,320 | +9.2% | $32,169 | $32,290 – $52,720 | 230 |
| Maine | $38,310 | −11.5% | $31,532 | $35,680 – $66,920 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $38,260 | −0.1% | $32,922 | $36,350 – $51,410 | 760 |
| Florida | $38,190 | +1.8% | $32,866 | $36,350 – $43,720 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $38,020 | +8.4% | $31,605 | $34,900 – $44,980 | 440 |
| Arkansas | $36,940 | −0.7% | $30,633 | $33,450 – $47,480 | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $36,200 | +0.1% | $30,183 | $33,090 – $57,870 | 350 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | No formal educational credential | +2.7% |
| Machine Feeder and Offbearer | $41,220 | No formal educational credential | -13.1% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | No formal educational credential | +1.8% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,330 | No formal educational credential | +8.9% |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | No formal educational credential | -5.0% |
| Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | No formal educational credential | +3.9% |
| Dredge Operator | $49,640 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 | No formal educational credential | +2.1% |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conveyor operator and tender make?
The national median salary for conveyor operators and tenders is $42,420 a year ($20.39 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,180 and the top 10% earn over $59,470. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays conveyor operators and tenders the most?
West Virginia has the highest median pay at $62,830.
How many conveyor operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 22,930 people work as conveyor operators and tenders nationwide.