Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
SOC Code: 53-7121Also known as:
Barge Loader, Barges Loader, Bulk Tank Car Unloader, Car Loader, Car Unloader
Median Annual Salary
$58,070
+4.3% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
12K
Current Jobs
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.
💰 Salary
$58,070
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.3%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
12,000
Projected Employment (2034)
12,500
Related Careers
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$68,860 •
-22.3% growth
Conveyor operators and tenders
$41,230 •
-3.4% growth
Industrial truck and tractor operators
$46,390 •
+1.1% growth
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
$38,940 •
+1.5% growth
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
$60,020 •
+2.6% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Reading Comprehension
Time Management
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
- Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
- Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tank car, truck, and ship loaders make?
The median annual salary for tank car, truck, and ship loaders is $58,070.
What education do tank car, truck, and ship loaders need?
Most tank car, truck, and ship loaders positions require a no formal educational credential.
Is becoming tank car, truck, and ship loaders a good career choice?
Tank car, truck, and ship loaders is projected to see +4.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for tank car, truck, and ship loaders?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to tank car, truck, and ship loaders?
Tank car, truck, and ship loaders may also be known as: Barge Loader, Barges Loader, Bulk Tank Car Unloader, Car Loader, Car Unloader, Caustics Loader, Coal Dumping Equipment Operator, Dock Loader, Load Out Person, Loader, Loader Operator, Loading Operator, Oil Movements Operator, Pumper Gauger, PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader), PVC Monitor (Polyvinyl Chloride Monitor), Rail Car Loader, Rail Loader, Receiving Operator, Ship Unloader.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.