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Loader/unloader salary
Average loader/unloader salary
$15.3
Average Loader/Unloader Salary
The average salary for a loader/unloader in the United States is approximately $31,827 per year or about $15 per hour. This figure reflects the demand for these positions in various sectors, especially in logistics and warehousing.
Factors Influencing Salary
Salaries can vary based on experience, with entry-level positions starting lower, while those with more experience can earn significantly more. For instance, loaders and unloaders with several years of experience may command salaries upwards of $40,000 annually.
Regional Variations
Locations greatly influence pay rates. States like California and Texas consistently report higher salaries due to their large logistics industries. Major cities such as Los Angeles and Dallas are noted for offering some of the highest wages in this field, making them attractive locations for job seekers.
Career Advancement
Loader/unloaders can explore advancement opportunities within their companies, potentially moving into supervisory roles or specialized positions which often offer higher compensation. Understanding the salary trends in your area is crucial for making informed career decisions.
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Where can a Loader/Unloader earn more?
Loader/unloader salaries by experience level
Average loader/unloader salary by state
The average loader/unloader salary in Minnesota, Washington, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average loader/unloader salary states are North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for loader/unloaders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $34,472 | $16.57 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $37,411 | $17.99 |
| 3 | Maine | $34,613 | $16.64 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $32,006 | $15.39 |
| 5 | Oregon | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 6 | Indiana | $31,699 | $15.24 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $33,644 | $16.18 |
| 8 | Washington | $36,742 | $17.66 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $32,673 | $15.71 |
| 10 | Ohio | $31,081 | $14.94 |
| 11 | Vermont | $33,458 | $16.09 |
| 12 | Utah | $32,313 | $15.54 |
| 13 | Iowa | $31,516 | $15.15 |
| 14 | Illinois | $32,018 | $15.39 |
| 15 | Alaska | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 16 | Nevada | $33,059 | $15.89 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $31,903 | $15.34 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $30,284 | $14.56 |
| 19 | Arizona | $31,746 | $15.26 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $37,969 | $18.25 |
| 21 | Colorado | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| 22 | Kansas | $30,768 | $14.79 |
| 23 | New York | $34,786 | $16.72 |
| 24 | California | $33,869 | $16.28 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $33,438 | $16.08 |
| 26 | Michigan | $31,549 | $15.17 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $31,759 | $15.27 |
| 28 | Montana | $31,951 | $15.36 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $30,747 | $14.78 |
| 30 | Idaho | $30,750 | $14.78 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| 32 | Missouri | $29,626 | $14.24 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $27,669 | $13.30 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $26,820 | $12.89 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $30,494 | $14.66 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $29,678 | $14.27 |
| 38 | Georgia | $27,126 | $13.04 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $26,978 | $12.97 |
| 40 | Maryland | $28,991 | $13.94 |
| 41 | Delaware | $30,624 | $14.72 |
| 42 | Texas | $28,103 | $13.51 |
| 43 | Alabama | $26,718 | $12.85 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $26,737 | $12.85 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $24,848 | $11.95 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $29,591 | $14.23 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $26,221 | $12.61 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $26,305 | $12.65 |
| 49 | Florida | $25,822 | $12.41 |
| 50 | Virginia | $26,244 | $12.62 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,232 | $11.17 |
Highest paying cities for loader/unloaders
The highest-paying cities for loader/unloaders are Tacoma, WA, Portland, OR, and Santa Rosa, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tacoma, WA | $36,965 | $17.77 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| 4 | Stevens Point, WI | $34,979 | $16.82 |
| 5 | Portland, ME | $34,631 | $16.65 |
| 6 | Aurora, CO | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| 7 | Kingman, AZ | $32,675 | $15.71 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,378 | $15.57 |
| 9 | Aurora, IL | $32,031 | $15.40 |
| 10 | York, PA | $31,648 | $15.22 |
| 11 | Columbus, IN | $31,043 | $14.92 |
| 12 | Kansas City, KS | $30,985 | $14.90 |
| 13 | Newark, NJ | $30,874 | $14.84 |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $30,725 | $14.77 |
| 15 | Columbia, MO | $29,698 | $14.28 |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | $28,302 | $13.61 |
| 17 | Gainesville, GA | $27,325 | $13.14 |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $26,977 | $12.97 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN | $26,737 | $12.85 |
| 20 | Rock Hill, SC | $26,501 | $12.74 |
Loader/Unloaders are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Loader/unloader salary details
A loader/unloader's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a loader/unloader's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,827 | $2,652 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying loader/unloader jobs
The highest paying types of loader/unloaders are loader operator, material handler/forklift operator, and truck loader.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Warehouse Worker | $33,010 | $2,751 | $15.87 | 255,502 |
| Forklift Driver | $33,476 | $2,790 | $16.09 | 116,516 |
| Forklift | $32,015 | $2,668 | $15.39 | 113,257 |
| Package Handler | $32,785 | $2,732 | $15.76 | 93,831 |
| Stacker | $29,046 | $2,420 | $13.96 | 27,528 |
Top companies hiring loader/unloaders now:
Which companies pay loader/unloaders the most?
Loader/unloader salaries at Bunge and Land O'Lakes are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average loader/unloader salary at companies like Benjamin Moore and Johnson Controls are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bunge | $39,911 | $19.19 |
| 2 | Land O'Lakes | $38,855 | $18.68 |
| 3 | Benjamin Moore | $38,401 | $18.46 |
| 4 | Johnson Controls | $38,388 | $18.46 |
| 5 | Cargill | $38,006 | $18.27 |
| 6 | Eaton | $36,898 | $17.74 |
| 7 | JBS USA | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 8 | Stanley Black & Decker | $36,722 | $17.65 |
| 9 | XPO Logistics | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 10 | SPX | $36,045 | $17.33 |
| 11 | Hartung Glass | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 12 | Flex-N-Gate | $35,637 | $17.13 |
| 13 | Martinrea International | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| 14 | Sysco | $35,493 | $17.06 |
| 15 | Cintas | $35,041 | $16.85 |
| 16 | Unison Comfort | $34,847 | $16.75 |
| 17 | CoorsTek | $34,632 | $16.65 |
| 18 | On Target LLC | $34,554 | $16.61 |
| 19 | LTD Commodities | $34,483 | $16.58 |
| 20 | Royal Manufacturing | $34,034 | $16.36 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Loader/unloader salary trends
The average loader/unloader salary has risen by $7,537 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average loader/unloader earned $24,290 annually, but today, they earn $31,827 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for loader/unloaders over the last decade.
Compare loader/unloader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average loader/unloader salary over time
Compare loader/unloader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Loader/unloader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,800 | $15.30 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $30,200 | $14.51 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $28,900 | $13.90 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $27,700 | $13.30 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | $26,600 | $12.77 | +3.7% |
Recently added loader/unloader salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotek | Loader Unloader | Bridgeville, PA | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Aerotek | Loader and Unloader | Pensacola, FL | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Peopleready | Loader/Unloader | South Boston, VA | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Howmet Holdings Corporation | Low Temp Loader/Unloader-3Rd Shift | Branford, CT | 06/27/2025 | $44,349 |
| Total Staffing Solutions | Loading/Unloading | Lisle, IL | 06/27/2025 | $43,827 |
| Peopleready | Loader/Unloader | Lexington, MA | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Verstela | Paint Shop Loader/Unloader | Vancouver, WA | 06/26/2025 | $36,523 |
| The Toro Company | Loader/Unloader, 1St. Shift Paint Dept-Spartan Mowers | Batesville, AR | 06/25/2025 | $31,535 |
| Spacesaver | 2Nd Shift Paint Line Loader/Unloader | Fort Atkinson, WI | 06/25/2025 | $41,740 |
| Stand-By Personnel | Load/Unload | Catoosa, OK | 06/19/2025 | $31,305 |
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