What Does it Take to Be a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?
Job 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
- Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
- Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
- Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
- 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.
- Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
- Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
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Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Needed 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 Jobs
- Chemical Recovery Operator
- Steel Loader
- Spout Tender
- PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader)
- Shipper
Is There Job 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. 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.
How Much Does a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Make?
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 & Technology 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
Becoming a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
What education or degrees do I need to become a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Work

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:
Those who work as a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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