How Much Does a Tankerman Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$58,870
Tankermen in the U.S. earn a median of $58,870 a year, or $28.30 an hour. Half of tankermen earn more than $58,870 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $83,160.
Pay percentiles for tankermen
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.97 | $39,460 |
| 25th | $22.26 | $46,300 |
| 50th (median) | $28.30 | $58,870 |
| 75th | $33.69 | $70,060 |
| 90th | $39.98 | $83,160 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders (SOC 53-7121). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for tankermen
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $81,320 | $39.10 | +38% |
| South Carolina | $80,700 | $38.80 | +37% |
| Montana | $80,070 | $38.50 | +36% |
| Minnesota | $76,620 | $36.84 | +30% |
| Alabama | $75,450 | $36.27 | +28% |
| Oregon | $74,040 | $35.60 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $71,750 | $34.49 | +22% |
| New Hampshire | $70,030 | $33.67 | +19% |
| California | $68,600 | $32.98 | +17% |
| New Jersey | $64,890 | $31.20 | +10% |
| United States | $58,870 | $28.30 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many tankermen are there?
BLS counts about 10,700 tankermen employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders”. The most jobs are in Texas (1,620), Ohio (820) and Louisiana (500).
The mean (average) annual wage is $59,970, higher than the median of $58,870.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,906
- Biweekly
- $2,264
- Weekly
- $1,132
- Daily (8 hours)
- $226
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do tankermen make an hour?
The median hourly wage for tankermen is $28.30. The middle 50% earn between $22.26 and $33.69 an hour.
Which state pays tankermen the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for tankermen at $81,320, +38% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for tankermen?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of tankermen earn less than $39,460 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.