Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader Salary in 2026
How Much Do Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Make?
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders earn a median annual salary of $58,070 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,260 at the 10th percentile to $88,120 at the 90th percentile — a range of $49,860. The highest-paying state is Alabama at $85,260.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,260 |
| 25th percentile | $47,260 |
| Median (50th) | $58,070 |
| 75th percentile | $71,230 |
| 90th percentile | $88,120 |
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alabamatop | $85,260 |
| Alaska | $83,330 |
| Maryland | $79,860 |
| South Carolina | $79,250 |
| Massachusetts | $74,060 |
| Illinois | $67,600 |
| Florida | $67,340 |
| Kentucky | $66,640 |
| New Hampshire | $63,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,850 |
| Louisiana | $62,300 |
| Missouri | $61,560 |
| California | $59,510 |
| Texas | $59,430 |
| Michigan | $59,370 |
| New Jersey | $59,050 |
| North Dakota | $58,450 |
| Maine | $58,320 |
| Tennessee | $57,250 |
| Nebraska | $57,210 |
| West Virginia | $56,620 |
| Iowa | $56,160 |
| Wisconsin | $54,560 |
| Ohio | $51,580 |
| Indiana | $49,280 |
| Utah | $47,540 |
| New York | $45,110 |
| North Carolina | $43,990 |
| Arkansas | $41,230 |
| Colorado | $40,320 |
| Georgia | $38,780 |
| Idaho | $38,460 |
| Oklahoma | $37,360 |
| Mississippi | $37,280 |
| Arizona | $35,110 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,260 – $47,260 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$58,070 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$71,230 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $88,120+ |
How to Earn More as a Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders in Alabama earn $85,260 — $27,190 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($71,230) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaderthis career | $58,070 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $52,550 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $63,380 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $68,860 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialist | $60,640 |
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SOC: 53-7121.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.