Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Loader salary
Average loader salary
$15.78
Understanding Loader Salaries
The average loader salary in the United States is approximately $32,820 per year or about $16 per hour. Factors influencing these figures include location, experience, and industry. For instance, loaders in states like California and Texas tend to earn more due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments.
Salary by State
In states with robust construction and logistics sectors, loaders can find higher-paying opportunities. For example:
- California: Average salary is around $36,000.
- Texas: Average salary reaches approximately $34,000.
- Florida: Average salary stands at about $30,000.
Additionally, loaders with specialized skills or certifications may see increased earning potential. As industries evolve, the demand for skilled loaders continues to grow, presenting new opportunities. Explore current job listings to find the best loader positions available in your area.
Let Zippia find your next loader job
Let Zippia find your next loader job
Where can a Loader earn more?
Loader salary estimates from across the web
Average loader salary by state
The highest-paying states for loaders are Alaska, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The lowest average loader salary states are Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for loaders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $38,405 | $18.46 |
| 2 | Vermont | $39,341 | $18.91 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $35,898 | $17.26 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $34,122 | $16.40 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $39,001 | $18.75 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $32,971 | $15.85 |
| 8 | Utah | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| 9 | Washington | $38,865 | $18.69 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $38,729 | $18.62 |
| 11 | Iowa | $32,691 | $15.72 |
| 12 | Ohio | $32,692 | $15.72 |
| 13 | Colorado | $38,668 | $18.59 |
| 14 | Kansas | $33,435 | $16.07 |
| 15 | Alaska | $39,639 | $19.06 |
| 16 | Arizona | $33,628 | $16.17 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $35,315 | $16.98 |
| 18 | Idaho | $32,915 | $15.82 |
| 19 | California | $37,699 | $18.12 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $36,233 | $17.42 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $32,482 | $15.62 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 23 | Michigan | $32,359 | $15.56 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $32,219 | $15.49 |
| 25 | Maryland | $32,587 | $15.67 |
| 26 | Montana | $32,242 | $15.50 |
| 27 | Illinois | $31,951 | $15.36 |
| 28 | New York | $34,236 | $16.46 |
| 29 | Oregon | $31,813 | $15.29 |
| 30 | Indiana | $29,276 | $14.07 |
| 31 | Virginia | $32,655 | $15.70 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $31,748 | $15.26 |
| 33 | Nevada | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $29,147 | $14.01 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $31,631 | $15.21 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $31,346 | $15.07 |
| 38 | Missouri | $29,837 | $14.34 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $28,842 | $13.87 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $32,996 | $15.86 |
| 41 | Georgia | $27,809 | $13.37 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $30,638 | $14.73 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $28,171 | $13.54 |
| 44 | Delaware | $30,064 | $14.45 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $28,454 | $13.68 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $28,256 | $13.58 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $28,429 | $13.67 |
| 48 | Florida | $26,523 | $12.75 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $29,395 | $14.13 |
| 50 | Texas | $27,092 | $13.03 |
| 51 | Alabama | $25,588 | $12.30 |
Highest paying cities for loaders
The highest-paying cities for loaders are Seattle, WA, Greeley, CO, and Sacramento, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $38,939 | $18.72 |
| 2 | Greeley, CO | $38,807 | $18.66 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $38,301 | $18.41 |
| 4 | Bethlehem, PA | $36,651 | $17.62 |
| 5 | Logan, UT | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 6 | Richmond, KY | $33,978 | $16.34 |
| 7 | Kansas City, KS | $33,565 | $16.14 |
| 8 | Knoxville, TN | $32,941 | $15.84 |
| 9 | Richmond, VA | $32,637 | $15.69 |
| 10 | Carol Stream, IL | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| 11 | Portland, OR | $31,842 | $15.31 |
| 12 | Kansas City, MO | $30,005 | $14.43 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $29,079 | $13.98 |
| 14 | Charlotte, NC | $28,752 | $13.82 |
| 15 | Olive Branch, MS | $28,627 | $13.76 |
| 16 | Greenville, SC | $28,371 | $13.64 |
| 17 | Oklahoma City, OK | $28,247 | $13.58 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $27,881 | $13.40 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $27,151 | $13.05 |
| 20 | Jacksonville, FL | $26,661 | $12.82 |
Loader salary details
A loader's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a loader's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $32,820 | $2,735 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying loader jobs
The highest paying types of loaders are loader/driver, loader operator, and barge loader.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver/Warehouse Worker | $35,198 | $2,933 | $16.92 | 310,383 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Forklift Operator | $34,213 | $2,851 | $16.45 | 213,020 |
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Material Handler | $33,215 | $2,768 | $15.97 | 174,068 |
| Warehouse/Driver | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16.35 | 293,591 |
Top companies hiring loaders now:
Which companies pay loaders the most?
Loader salaries at Kemps and Dairy Farmers of America are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average loader salary at companies like American Woodmark and Kloeckner Metals are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kemps | $41,573 | $19.99 |
| 2 | Dairy Farmers of America | $41,400 | $19.90 |
| 3 | American Woodmark | $40,534 | $19.49 |
| 4 | Kloeckner Metals | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 5 | Steel Dynamics | $40,504 | $19.47 |
| 6 | United Natural Foods | $40,436 | $19.44 |
| 7 | Bunge | $40,366 | $19.41 |
| 8 | American Crystal Sugar | $39,533 | $19.01 |
| 9 | Marvin and | $39,426 | $18.95 |
| 10 | Martin Marietta | $39,046 | $18.77 |
| 11 | U.S. Silica | $38,942 | $18.72 |
| 12 | Johnson Controls | $38,851 | $18.68 |
| 13 | ABB | $38,792 | $18.65 |
| 14 | Lamb Weston | $38,711 | $18.61 |
| 15 | Igloo Coolers | $38,704 | $18.61 |
| 16 | US Foods | $38,568 | $18.54 |
| 17 | PepsiCo | $38,549 | $18.53 |
| 18 | Nucor | $38,348 | $18.44 |
| 19 | Metals USA | $38,274 | $18.40 |
| 20 | Cargill | $38,228 | $18.38 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Loader salary trends
The average loader salary has risen by $4,137 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average loader earned $28,683 annually, but today, they earn $32,820 a year. That works out to a 28% change in pay for loaders over the last decade.
Compare loader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average loader salary over time
Compare loader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Loader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $32,800 | $15.78 | +7.1% |
| 2025 | $30,500 | $14.65 | +9.8% |
| 2024 | $27,500 | $13.22 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | $26,500 | $12.75 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $25,700 | $12.37 | -2.5% |
Recently added loader salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primo Water Corporation | Loader | Nampa, ID | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Us Foods | Loader Nights | Boca Raton, FL | 06/28/2025 | $51,820 |
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Loader | Vista, CA | 06/28/2025 | $36,523 |
| Serta | Loader/Shipper (USA) 2Nd Shift | Hazleton, PA | 06/28/2025 | $42,784 |
| R+L Carriers | Forklift Loader | San Antonio, TX | 06/28/2025 | $47,271 |
| Rural King | DC Loader S2 | Mattoon, IL | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Performance Foodservice | Loader-2Nd Shift | Arlington, TX | 06/28/2025 | $40,968 |
| Primo Brands | Loader | Riverside, CA | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Freight Breakers | 1St. Shift Tire Loader | Richburg, SC | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Core Mark | Loader-2Nd Shift | Arlington, TX | 06/27/2025 | $40,968 |
Search for loader jobs