Career comparison
Shipping and Receiving Clerk vs. Tank Loader
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Tank loaders earn more at the median ($58,870 vs. $45,260), while shipping and receiving clerks usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Shipping and receiving clerks track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants. Tank loaders load and unload liquids and bulk materials into tank cars, trucks and ships.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Shipping and Receiving Clerk | Tank Loader | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,260 ($21.76/hr) | $58,870 ($28.30/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,650 – $62,190 | $39,460 – $83,160 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.6% (a projected decline) | +2.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 61,300 | 1,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | A few weeks of training |
| Key credential | Forklift operator training | DOT hazmat training |
| Work setting | Clerks work in warehouses, distribution centers, plants and stores, at docks and desks. | Loaders work at fuel terminals, chemical plants, rail yards and ports.. |
What each job does
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
- Check incoming shipments against paperwork
- Record receipts in inventory systems
- Report damages, shortages and overages
- Prepare and label outgoing shipments
- Create bills of lading and shipping documents
Tank Loader
- Connect hoses and arms
- Load and unload products
- Monitor levels
- Check pressure
- Follow hazmat rules
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose shipping and receiving clerk if…
- I’m accurate with numbers and details
- I like organizing things
- I don’t mind physical work
Choose tank loader if…
- I follow procedures exactly
- I care about safety
- I don’t mind weather
Still torn? Take the Shipping and Receiving Clerk fit quiz and the Tank Loader fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, shipping and receiving clerk or tank loader?
Tank Loaders earn more at the median: $58,870 versus $45,260 for shipping and receiving clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Shipping and Receiving Clerks typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than tank loaders (A few weeks of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects tank loaders to grow +2.8% from 2025–35, compared with -7.6% for shipping and receiving clerks.