Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in the U.S.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders in the U.S. earn a median of $42,420 a year ($20.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,470 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $45,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conveyor operators and tenders in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 25th percentile | $38,180 | $18.35 |
| Median | $42,420 | $20.39 |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Average (mean) | $45,080 | $21.68 |
Half of conveyor operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,767.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,631.54 |
| Weekly | $815.77 |
| Hourly | $20.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Best-paying metro areas for conveyor operators and tenders
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $64,160 | 160 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,780 | n/a |
| Merced, CA | $62,970 | 40 |
| Charleston, WV | $62,820 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,140 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,780 | 30 |
| Birmingham, AL | $55,110 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $50,810 | 120 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $50,410 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $49,910 | 50 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $49,680 | 40 |
| Greeley, CO | $48,470 | 50 |
| Wichita, KS | $48,240 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,290 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,770 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most conveyor operators and tenders
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,070 | $42,420 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 580 | $42,990 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 540 | $44,910 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 520 | $43,830 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 470 | $41,140 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 380 | $37,500 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 380 | $38,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 360 | $44,800 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 350 | $43,120 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 310 | $39,270 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 300 | $43,390 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 280 | $37,320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 230 | $43,350 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 220 | $45,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 220 | $38,190 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $56,450 | $27.14 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conveyor operators and tenders make in the U.S.?
The median salary for conveyor operators and tenders in the U.S. is $42,420 a year, or $20.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conveyor operators and tenders make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of conveyor operators and tenders in the U.S. earn at least $59,470 a year. The top 25% earn $48,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for conveyor operators and tenders in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,180 a year, and a quarter of conveyor operators and tenders earn $38,180 or less.
How many conveyor operators and tenders work in the U.S.?
About 22,930 conveyor operators and tenders are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.