Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
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.
Also called: Barge Loader, Barges Loader, Bulk Tank Car Unloader, Car Loader, Car Unloader, Caustics Loader
Median pay
$58,870
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,460 – $83,160
People employed
10,700
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
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 OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 6.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (35 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What tank car, truck, and ship loaders do
- 01Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
- 02Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
- 03Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
- 04Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
- 05Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- 06Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
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 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
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 tank car, truck, and ship loaders
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers85% · +64%
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining81% · +27%
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining80% · −2%
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers80% · 0%
- Locomotive Engineers80% · +38%
Change into tank car, truck, and ship loaders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers87% · $60,600
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers86% · $58,640
- Sailors and Marine Oilers85% · $51,520
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers82% · $68,840
- Aircraft Service Attendants80% · $40,450