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What Does it Take to Be a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?
Career 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.
A Day in the Life of a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
- Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
- Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
- Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
- Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
- Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
- Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.
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What a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Other Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Job Titles
- Coal Dumping Equipment Operator
- PVC Monitor (Polyvinyl Chloride Monitor)
- Rail Car Loader
- Rail Car Unloader
- Spout Tender
Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 10,800 jobs for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 1,400 positions for Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader per 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 |
What Tools do Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Use?
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
How do I Become a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?
What kind of Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?
Where Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader may also be interested in:
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.