SOC 53-7121 · May 2025 · United States
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders across the United States is $58,870 per year, measured over 10,700 jobs. The highest state median is in Maryland, at $81,320.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow about as fast as average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +4.3%
- Openings per year
- 1,300
- Typical entry-level education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
6.6% of people in this occupation work for themselves.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Pay for this occupation varies by 140.6% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Maryland pays $81,320 and Arkansas pays $33,800.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $81,320 | 110 | |
| 2 | South Carolina | $80,700 | 90 | |
| 3 | Montana | $80,070 | 80 | |
| 4 | Minnesota | $76,620 | — | |
| 5 | Alabama | $75,450 | 240 | |
| 6 | Oregon | $74,040 | — | |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $71,750 | 140 | |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $70,030 | 40 | |
| 9 | California | $68,600 | 110 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | $64,890 | 120 |
States with the most Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 1,620 | $61,170 | |
| 2 | Ohio | 820 | $57,700 | |
| 3 | Louisiana | 500 | $58,900 | |
| 4 | Florida | 430 | $45,540 | |
| 5 | North Dakota | 310 | $61,210 | |
| 6 | Indiana | 250 | $44,310 | |
| 7 | Alabama | 240 | $75,450 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 240 | $44,910 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 200 | $57,900 | |
| 10 | Iowa | 180 | $51,450 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $83,390 | 50 |
| 2 | Providence | $83,160 | 70 |
| 3 | Corpus Christi | $81,920 | 60 |
| 4 | Boston | $77,490 | 80 |
| 5 | Dallas | $76,850 | 200 |
| 6 | New York | $64,890 | 120 |
| 7 | Lake Charles | $63,170 | 40 |
| 8 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $63,100 | 60 |
| 9 | New Orleans | $62,200 | 210 |
| 10 | Chicago | $61,420 | 1,460 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.