How much does a conveyor operator and tender make?
The median conveyor operator and tender in the United States earns $42,420 per year, about $20.39 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all conveyor operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-7011.
Conveyor operator and tender salary range
Pay for conveyor operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,180 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $59,470. The average (mean) wage of $45,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,180 | $17.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,180 | $18.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $42,420 | $20.39 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $59,470 | $28.59 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for conveyor operators and tenders (SOC 53-7011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Conveyor operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Conveyor operators and tenders earn the most in West Virginia at $62,830 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $36,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $62,830 | 580 |
| Iowa | $56,900 | 590 |
| Maryland | $56,120 | 30 |
| Alabama | $55,970 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $54,590 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $52,480 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $50,750 | 210 |
| Utah | $48,620 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $47,770 | 80 |
| Indiana | $46,300 | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,130 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $44,890 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $44,800 | 780 |
| Illinois | $44,290 | 480 |
| Missouri | $44,100 | 290 |
| Washington | $43,480 | 640 |
| Oregon | $43,410 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $43,360 | 1,180 |
| California | $43,150 | 2,460 |
| Massachusetts | $43,150 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $43,000 | 460 |
| Hawaii | $42,880 | N/A |
| New York | $42,670 | 720 |
| Idaho | $40,750 | 240 |
| Texas | $40,650 | 2,380 |
| Georgia | $40,630 | 600 |
| Colorado | $40,480 | 370 |
| Vermont | $40,390 | 50 |
| Kansas | $40,030 | 840 |
| Virginia | $39,840 | 820 |
| Ohio | $39,610 | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $39,550 | 450 |
| Michigan | $39,340 | 410 |
| Arizona | $39,260 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $39,160 | 840 |
| Montana | $38,760 | 370 |
| Nevada | $38,450 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $38,320 | 230 |
| Maine | $38,310 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $38,260 | 760 |
| Florida | $38,190 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $38,020 | 440 |
| Arkansas | $36,940 | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $36,200 | 350 |
State median wages for conveyor operators and tenders (SOC 53-7011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for conveyor operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of conveyor operators and tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 29,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for conveyor operators and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a conveyor operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for conveyor operators and tenders is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a conveyor operator and tender earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (West Virginia, $62,830) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $36,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,930 people work as conveyor operators and tenders in the United States. At $42,420 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Conveyor operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a conveyor operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a conveyor operator and tender is $20.39. The middle half of conveyor operators and tenders earn between $18.35 and $23.33 per hour.
What is the highest conveyor operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of conveyor operators and tenders earn more than $59,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a conveyor operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a conveyor operator and tender is $42,420. The average (mean) wage of $45,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a conveyor operator and tender a well paid job?
At $42,420 a year, a conveyor operator and tender earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,930 people work as conveyor operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays conveyor operators and tenders the most?
West Virginia has the highest median salary for conveyor operators and tenders at $62,830 a year. Iowa ($56,900) and Maryland ($56,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a conveyor operator and tender a good career?
Employment of conveyor operators and tenders is projected to shrink 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a conveyor operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for conveyor operators and tenders as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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