What Does it Take to Be a Conveyor Operator or Tender?
Conveyor Operator or Tender Example 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.
Life As a Conveyor Operator or Tender: What Do They Do?
- Inform supervisors of equipment malfunctions that need to be addressed.
- Move, assemble, and connect hoses or nozzles to material hoppers, storage tanks, conveyor sections or chutes, and pumps.
- Operate elevator systems in conjunction with conveyor systems.
- Record production data such as weights, types, quantities, and storage locations of materials, as well as equipment performance problems and downtime.
- Contact workers in work stations or other departments to request movement of materials, products, or machinery, or to notify them of incoming shipments and their estimated delivery times.
- Affix identifying information to materials or products, using hand tools.
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Conveyor Operator or Tender Required Skills
When polled, Conveyor Operators and Tenders 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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Conveyor Operator or Tender
- Machine Operator
- Package Line Operator
- Debarker Operator
- Silo Operator
- Grain Elevator Operator
Job Opportunities for Conveyor Operators and Tenders
There were about 28,100 jobs for Conveyor Operator or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Conveyor Operator or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Conveyor Operator or Tender are Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, Maine, or Iowa. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Conveyor Operators and Tenders Salary
The average yearly salary of a Conveyor Operator or Tender ranges between $23,960 and $49,890.

Conveyor Operators and Tenders who work in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Utah, make the highest salaries.
How much do Conveyor Operators and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $39,280 |
Arizona | $29,850 |
Arkansas | $29,060 |
California | $36,170 |
Colorado | $34,910 |
Delaware | $35,100 |
Florida | $30,330 |
Georgia | $35,050 |
Hawaii | $34,660 |
Idaho | $39,890 |
Illinois | $33,900 |
Indiana | $34,740 |
Iowa | $34,730 |
Kansas | $35,510 |
Kentucky | $38,190 |
Louisiana | $36,650 |
Maine | $37,470 |
Maryland | $34,080 |
Massachusetts | $38,350 |
Michigan | $37,460 |
Minnesota | $35,690 |
Mississippi | $31,750 |
Missouri | $32,500 |
Montana | $41,610 |
Nebraska | $32,080 |
Nevada | $40,560 |
New Hampshire | $36,000 |
New Jersey | $35,350 |
New Mexico | $33,190 |
New York | $36,560 |
North Carolina | $33,770 |
North Dakota | $39,030 |
Ohio | $33,590 |
Oklahoma | $34,330 |
Oregon | $39,660 |
Pennsylvania | $37,700 |
South Carolina | $35,080 |
South Dakota | $32,390 |
Tennessee | $36,910 |
Texas | $28,870 |
Utah | $44,900 |
Virginia | $34,180 |
Washington | $37,630 |
West Virginia | $53,390 |
Wisconsin | $40,190 |
Wyoming | $70,560 |
What Tools & Technology do Conveyor Operators and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Conveyor Operators and Tenders:
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
Becoming a Conveyor Operator or Tender
What education or degrees do I need to become a Conveyor Operator or Tender?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Conveyor Operators and Tenders Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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