Truck Driver
Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
- $58,640
- 3–7 weeks
Transportation & Logistics career
Tank Loader
Also called: Tank Car Loader · Truck Loader · Terminal Operator · Fuel Terminal Loader
What tank loaders do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a tank loader do?
Tank car, truck and ship loaders load and unload chemicals, liquids and bulk solids into or from tank cars, trucks or ships. The median pay is $58,870 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow +2.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$58,870$28.30/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs12,800Employment, 2025
What tank loaders do
Tank loaders move liquids safely. They connect hoses and loading arms, load fuel, chemicals and bulk products into tank trucks, rail cars and ships, monitor levels and pressure, follow hazmat rules and inspect equipment.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Connect hoses and arms
- Load and unload products
- Monitor levels
- Check pressure
- Follow hazmat rules
- Inspect equipment
- Complete paperwork
Work environment and schedule
Loaders work at fuel terminals, chemical plants, rail yards and ports.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Safety briefing.
- Inspect loading arms.
- Load a tank truck.
- Unload a rail car.
See a full day in the life of a tank loader →
Tank Loader salary
Half of tank loaders earned more than $58,870 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,460 for the lowest 10% to $83,160 for the top 10%.
Full tank loader pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a tank loader
- Apply to a terminal or plant
- Complete hazmat training
- Learn procedures
- Get TWIC if needed
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a tank loader →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Loading procedures
- Hazmat rules
- Hose connections
- Level monitoring
- Sampling
People skills
- Safety focus
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Calm
All tank loader skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good industrial pay
- Short training
- Average growth
- Outdoor work
Cons
- Hazardous materials
- Weather
- Shift work
- Fumes
Certifications and licenses
- DOT hazmat training: Required.
- TWIC: Ports and terminals.
- HAZWOPER: Helpful.
- Confined space training: Helpful.
Career path
- Loader: Entry.
- Terminal Operator: Operate.
- Lead: Lead.
- Terminal Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Tank Loader training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as load a tank truck safely and check hazmat placards, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Chemical Plant Operator
Control the reactors and systems that produce chemicals and materials.
- $78,120
- 6–18 months on the job
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
- $45,260
- 1–4 weeks
Freight Dispatcher
Plan loads, route drivers and keep freight moving on schedule.
- $50,340
- 1–3 months
Compare: Tank Loader vs. Truck Driver · Tank Loader vs. Chemical Plant Operator · Tank Loader vs. Shipping Clerk · Tank Loader vs. Freight Dispatcher
Tank Loader FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is hazmat training required?
Yes.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does a tank loader make?
The median annual wage for tank loaders was $58,870 ($28.30 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,460 and the highest 10% earned more than $83,160.
How long does it take to become a tank loader?
Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a tank loader?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7121 (Tank car, truck, and ship loaders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Tank car, truck, and ship loaders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.