Life As a Conveyor Operator or Tender
Conveyor Operator or Tender Definition 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.
A Day in the Life of a Conveyor Operator or Tender
- Distribute materials, supplies, and equipment to work stations, using lifts and trucks.
- Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
- 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.
- Collect samples of materials or products, checking them to ensure conformance to specifications or sending them to laboratories for analysis.
- Clean, sterilize, and maintain equipment, machinery, and work stations, using hand tools, shovels, brooms, chemicals, hoses, and lubricants.
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Qualities of a Conveyor Operator or Tender
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Chain Puller
- Conveyor Belt Operator
- Silo Tender
- Conveyor System Dispatcher
- Package Line Operator
Conveyor Operator or Tender Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 28,100 jobs for Conveyor Operator or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Conveyor Operator or Tender. There will be an estimated 3,700 positions for Conveyor Operator or Tender per 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.
Do Conveyor Operators and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Conveyor Operators and Tenders ranges between about $23,960 and $49,890 a year.

Conveyor Operators and Tenders who work in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Utah, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Conveyor Operators and Tenders 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 do Conveyor Operators and Tenders Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Conveyor Operators and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
How do I Become a Conveyor Operator or Tender?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Conveyor Operator or Tender?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Conveyor Operator or Tender?

Where Conveyor Operators and Tenders Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Conveyor Operators and Tenders employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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