Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Salary
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders earn a median $58,870 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What 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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,300
- Self-employed
- 15%
Employment of tank car, truck, and ship loaders is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,300 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.
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,884
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,650
- Medicare (1.45%)$854
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,482
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,460 | $18.97 | $33,886 |
| 25th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 | $39,382 |
| Median (50th) | $58,870 | $28.30 | $49,482 |
| 75th percentile | $70,060 | $33.68 | $58,117 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,160 | $39.98 | $67,333 |
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $81,320 | +1.8% | $62,540 | $45,220 – $125,490 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $80,700 | +1.8% | $61,918 | $54,540 – $80,700 | 90 |
| Montana | $80,070 | — | $61,996 | $67,010 – $108,160 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $76,620 | — | $59,045 | $52,200 – $84,440 | — |
| Alabama | $75,450 | −11.5% | $58,402 | $66,510 – $93,600 | 240 |
| Oregon | $74,040 | — | $55,268 | $50,520 – $80,430 | — |
| Massachusetts | $71,750 | −3.1% | $55,939 | $37,960 – $81,760 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $70,030 | +10.8% | $58,096 | $52,120 – $79,560 | 40 |
| California | $68,600 | +15.3% | $53,922 | $43,570 – $110,100 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $64,890 | +9.9% | $52,282 | $50,980 – $77,790 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 | +4.7% | $51,362 | $49,760 – $76,650 | 310 |
| Texas | $61,170 | +2.9% | $51,330 | $45,680 – $93,070 | 1,620 |
| Louisiana | $58,900 | −5.5% | $48,125 | $48,940 – $68,010 | 500 |
| Michigan | $57,900 | −2.5% | $46,493 | $47,010 – $66,880 | 200 |
| Missouri | $57,750 | −6.2% | $46,805 | $40,640 – $73,500 | 180 |
| Ohio | $57,700 | +11.9% | $47,738 | $37,820 – $80,370 | 820 |
| Wisconsin | $57,250 | +4.9% | $46,442 | $49,770 – $69,590 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $54,750 | −3.3% | $44,440 | $48,990 – $63,650 | 90 |
| Utah | $53,370 | +12.3% | $43,627 | $49,110 – $53,370 | — |
| Kentucky | $53,160 | −20.2% | $43,151 | $27,470 – $90,940 | 130 |
| Iowa | $51,450 | −8.4% | $42,217 | $44,530 – $66,840 | 180 |
| Colorado | $51,200 | +27.0% | $41,775 | $38,650 – $63,700 | 80 |
| Georgia | $51,160 | +31.9% | $41,255 | $31,100 – $59,950 | 50 |
| New York | $48,220 | +6.9% | $38,918 | $38,720 – $67,590 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,120 | −23.4% | $39,367 | $33,560 – $83,550 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $48,010 | — | $39,659 | $40,810 – $51,840 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $46,300 | −19.1% | $38,155 | $41,690 – $63,840 | — |
| Florida | $45,540 | −32.4% | $38,771 | $28,090 – $79,790 | 430 |
| Hawaii | $45,240 | — | $36,589 | $44,290 – $94,310 | — |
| North Carolina | $44,910 | +2.1% | $36,982 | $40,350 – $53,260 | 240 |
| Indiana | $44,310 | −10.1% | $36,505 | $37,500 – $66,530 | 250 |
| Idaho | $41,700 | +8.4% | $34,584 | $28,400 – $61,290 | 80 |
| Virginia | $41,190 | — | $33,722 | $31,760 – $70,880 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $35,360 | −5.4% | $29,546 | $28,710 – $50,880 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $33,800 | −18.0% | $28,233 | $28,600 – $47,440 | 150 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 | No formal educational credential | +2.1% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Dredge Operator | $49,640 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $42,420 | No formal educational credential | -2.6% |
| 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% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tank car, truck, and ship loaders make?
The national median salary for tank car, truck, and ship loaders is $58,870 a year ($28.30 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,460 and the top 10% earn over $83,160. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays tank car, truck, and ship loaders the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $81,320.
How many tank car, truck, and ship loaders are there in the U.S.?
About 10,700 people work as tank car, truck, and ship loaders nationwide.