Life As a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
Occupation Description 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.
Life As a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader: What Do They Do?
- Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
- Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
- Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
- 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.
- Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
- Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
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Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Skills
These are the skills Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
- Yard Person
- Receiving Operator
- Ship Unloader
- Ships or Barges Loader
- Tank Car Loader
Is There Going to be Demand for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders?
There were about 10,800 jobs for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader are Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, South Carolina, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
The salary for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders ranges between about $25,210 and $70,690 a year.

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders who work in New Jersey, Oregon, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $39,070 |
Alaska | $32,650 |
Arizona | $30,610 |
Arkansas | $36,950 |
California | $34,810 |
Colorado | $46,420 |
Florida | $39,750 |
Georgia | $45,430 |
Illinois | $41,830 |
Indiana | $35,700 |
Iowa | $42,230 |
Kansas | $33,210 |
Kentucky | $47,530 |
Louisiana | $35,880 |
Massachusetts | $42,520 |
Michigan | $43,490 |
Minnesota | $46,640 |
Missouri | $43,590 |
Nebraska | $48,260 |
New Jersey | $57,370 |
New Mexico | $41,500 |
North Dakota | $45,030 |
Ohio | $37,810 |
Oklahoma | $31,750 |
Oregon | $56,370 |
Pennsylvania | $47,650 |
Tennessee | $43,790 |
Texas | $43,670 |
Virginia | $36,440 |
Washington | $49,550 |
Wisconsin | $55,640 |
Wyoming | $46,700 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Linux
- Palm OS
- Distributed control system DCS
Becoming a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
Education needed to be a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Work?

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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