What Does it Take to Be a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?
Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Example 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.
Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Responsibilities
- Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
- Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.
- Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
- Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
- Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
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What a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Should Know
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.
Types of Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader Jobs
- Ships or Barges Loader
- Barge Loader
- Pumper-Gauger Apprentice
- Receiving Operator
- Loader
Is There Job Demand for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders?
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. The BLS estimates 1,400 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders in different U.S. states.
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
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 to Become a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader
Education needed to be a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader?

Where do 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 thinking about becoming a Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Tank Car, Truck, or Ship Loader in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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