Conveyor Operators and Tenders
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.
Also called: Ash Conveyor Operator, Assembly Line Tender, Bed Operator, Belt Operator, Belt Technician (Belt Tech), Belt Tender
Median pay
$42,420
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,180 – $59,470
People employed
22,930
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 8.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
Conveyor Operators and Tenders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (44 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What conveyor operators and tenders do
- 01Manipulate controls, levers, and valves to start pumps, auxiliary equipment, or conveyors, and to adjust equipment positions, speeds, timing, and material flows.
- 02Stop equipment or machinery and clear jams, using poles, bars, and hand tools, or remove damaged materials from conveyors.
- 03Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
- 04Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
- 05Distribute materials, supplies, and equipment to work stations, using lifts and trucks.
- 06Press console buttons to deflect packages to predetermined accumulators or reject lines.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from conveyor operators and tenders
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers85% · +9%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders83% · +19%
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82% · +14%
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80% · +18%
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders80% · +2%
Change into conveyor operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Agricultural Equipment Operators79% · $41,730
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders77% · $44,810
- Light Truck Drivers74% · $44,860
- Dishwashers71% · $34,810