What Do Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Do?
Example of Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Job 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.
A Day in the Life of a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
- Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.
- Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
- Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
- Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
- Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
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Qualities of a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
When polled, Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Pumper
- Shipper
- Shipping and Receiving Operator
- Ships or Barges Loader
- Loader
Are There Job Opportunities for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 10,800 jobs in the United States for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader. 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.
Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders is somewhere between $25,210 and $70,690.

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
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Linux
- Palm OS
- Distributed control system DCS
How do I Become 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?

Below are examples of industries where Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders work:

You May Also 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.
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