How much do Conveyor Operators and Tenders make?
The median pay for Conveyor Operators and Tenders in the United States is $42,420 per year — about $20.39 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $36,180, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $59,470.
That is $18,970 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Conveyor Operators and Tenders earn between $38,180 and $48,530 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,180 | $17.39 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,180 | $18.36 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,420 | $20.39 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,530 | $23.33 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,470 | $28.59 |
Highest-paying states for Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. West Virginia leads the country for Conveyor Operators and Tenders pay at $62,830 a year, followed by Iowa ($56,900) and Maryland ($56,120). At the other end, Oklahoma posts the lowest median at $36,200 — a gap of $26,630 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $62,830 | $30.21 | +48% |
| 2 | Iowa | $56,900 | $27.36 | +34% |
| 3 | Maryland | $56,120 | $26.98 | +32% |
| 4 | Alabama | $55,970 | $26.91 | +32% |
| 5 | Louisiana | $54,590 | $26.25 | +29% |
Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 44 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 23,000 people work as Conveyor Operators and Tenders in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $45,080 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other transportation roles with similar pay.