Research Summary. Based on comprehensive research by the Zippia data science team, we present the latest loader/unloader salary details by state for the United States in 2026:
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Minnesota continues to lead with the highest loader/unloader salary at $37,411
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Louisiana remains at the bottom with the lowest loader/unloader salary of $23,232
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The national average salary for loader/unloaders is currently $31,827
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The national hourly pay for loader/unloaders is approximately $15.30
For a deeper understanding, you can read about the specific methodology.
Background
In today’s job market, salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers across various demographics. Individuals frequently ask, “How much do loader/unloaders earn in my area?”
While several factors influence personal earnings, we have reliable salary data for loader/unloaders by state across the U.S., categorized by experience level. Although local salaries may vary, these averages provide a solid framework for what you can expect.
Once again, Minnesota ranks as the state with the highest loader/unloader salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for loader/unloader salaries:
Let’s dive deeper into how these salaries are structured and provide a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Loader/unloaders By State
| Rank | State | Average Loader/unloader Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $37,411 | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $36,742 | $30,000 | $44,000 |
| 3 | Oregon | $36,420 | $29,000 | $44,000 |
| 4 | Alaska | $35,880 | $31,000 | $40,000 |
| 5 | New York | $34,786 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 6 | Maine | $34,613 | $29,000 | $41,000 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $34,540 | $30,000 | $39,000 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $34,472 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 9 | Colorado | $34,360 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 10 | California | $33,869 | $27,000 | $41,000 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $33,644 | $27,000 | $41,000 |
| 12 | Vermont | $33,458 | $28,000 | $39,000 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $33,438 | $27,000 | $40,000 |
| 14 | Nevada | $33,059 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $32,673 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 16 | Utah | $32,313 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 17 | Illinois | $32,018 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $32,006 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 19 | Montana | $31,951 | $26,000 | $38,000 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $31,903 | $26,000 | $38,000 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $31,759 | $26,000 | $38,000 |
| 22 | Arizona | $31,746 | $25,000 | $39,000 |
| 23 | Indiana | $31,699 | $25,000 | $39,000 |
| 24 | Michigan | $31,549 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 25 | Iowa | $31,516 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 26 | Ohio | $31,081 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 27 | Kansas | $30,768 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 28 | Idaho | $30,750 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $30,747 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 30 | Delaware | $30,624 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $30,494 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $30,284 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $29,678 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 34 | Missouri | $29,626 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $29,591 | $24,000 | $35,000 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $29,280 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 37 | Maryland | $28,991 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 38 | Texas | $28,103 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $27,669 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 40 | Georgia | $27,126 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $26,978 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $26,820 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $26,737 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 44 | Alabama | $26,718 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $26,305 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 46 | Virginia | $26,244 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $26,221 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $25,822 | $20,000 | $32,000 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $24,848 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $23,232 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
Methodology: Loader/unloader Salary By State
To gain insight into loader/unloader pay by state, Zippia aggregates data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We complement this data with actual salary listings from job postings. The Zippia data science team then calculates a weighted average to establish the average pay for loader/unloaders by state.
We compiled data from these sources to rank each state based on average annual salary, with the highest salary reflecting the state ranking.
Loader/unloader Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for loader/unloaders?
The highest-paid state for loader/unloaders is Minnesota, offering an average salary of $37,411 per year.
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What city pays loader/unloaders the most?
Tacoma, WA pays loader/unloaders the highest, averaging $36,965 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for loader/unloaders?
The lowest-paying state for loader/unloaders is Louisiana, with an average salary of $23,232 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
