How much does a tank loader make?
a year · about $28 an hour
A typical tank loader in the United States makes $58,870 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check tank and load numbers, connect hoses or swing spouts into place, then control pumps and valves while teammates watch the cargo flow. They record quantities and gauge readings, seal valves, and check tanks for leaks.
Did you know? A tank loader may load rail cars with molasses or edible animal fat—not just chemicals or fuel.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $39,460 and $83,160How do you become one?
In the US, a high-school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs do not require one; workers usually learn on the job. Hazmat loaders must be trained and tested by their employer within 90 days.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, skills and how complex the loading work is, as well as the employer or industry. Location and hours worked matter too; BLS data show pay for this job varies across states and industries.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Maryland ($81,320), lowest in Arkansas ($33,800).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a dock worker averages $40,082. Tank loader salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $39,460 | $58,870 | $83,160 | about 11,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $81,320 | about 110 |
| South Carolina | $80,700 | about 90 |
| Montana | $80,070 | about 80 |
| Minnesota | $76,620 | — |
| Alabama | $75,450 | about 240 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/53-7121.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/53-7121.00
- www.phmsa.dot.gov/about-phmsa/hazardous-materials-training-requirements
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes537121.htm
- www.up.com/news/service/tr052521-what-is-a-rail-tank-car
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY