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Truck loader salary
Average truck loader salary
$16.71
Truck Loader Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a truck loader in the United States is approximately $34,749 annually or about $17 per hour. Compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific industry. For instance, truck loaders in metropolitan areas often earn more due to higher demand and living costs.
Salary by State
This role illustrates a wide range of salaries across different states. For example, truck loaders in states like California and New York tend to earn higher wages compared to those in less populated regions. Checking average salaries by state can help job seekers identify the best locations for competitive pay.
Potential for Salary Growth
As truck loaders gain experience, they often see an increase in salary. Entry-level positions may start around $30,000, but with years of experience and additional responsibilities, salaries can rise significantly. Further training and certifications may also boost earning potential.
Conclusion
Understanding the salary landscape for truck loaders is essential for job seekers. By researching average salaries and considering factors like location and experience, individuals can make informed decisions about their career paths.
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Where can a Truck Loader earn more?
Truck loader salary estimates from across the web
Average truck loader salary by state
The highest-paying states for truck loaders are Alaska, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The lowest average truck loader salary states are Texas, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for truck loaders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $40,241 | $19.35 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $41,647 | $20.02 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $42,036 | $20.21 |
| 4 | Vermont | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| 5 | Colorado | $38,726 | $18.62 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $37,456 | $18.01 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $37,732 | $18.14 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $36,311 | $17.46 |
| 9 | Utah | $38,511 | $18.51 |
| 10 | Iowa | $37,621 | $18.09 |
| 11 | Alaska | $42,173 | $20.28 |
| 12 | Kansas | $37,075 | $17.82 |
| 13 | Washington | $40,654 | $19.55 |
| 14 | California | $38,592 | $18.55 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $38,972 | $18.74 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $41,750 | $20.07 |
| 18 | Arizona | $36,108 | $17.36 |
| 19 | New York | $37,061 | $17.82 |
| 20 | Maine | $38,916 | $18.71 |
| 21 | Indiana | $34,354 | $16.52 |
| 22 | Nevada | $33,951 | $16.32 |
| 23 | Ohio | $33,945 | $16.32 |
| 24 | Illinois | $34,516 | $16.59 |
| 25 | Michigan | $34,902 | $16.78 |
| 26 | Maryland | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $34,516 | $16.59 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $37,008 | $17.79 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $34,206 | $16.45 |
| 30 | Virginia | $36,423 | $17.51 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $37,543 | $18.05 |
| 32 | Idaho | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| 33 | Rhode Island | $34,217 | $16.45 |
| 34 | Georgia | $32,858 | $15.80 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $33,292 | $16.01 |
| 36 | Florida | $32,526 | $15.64 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $31,868 | $15.32 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $33,462 | $16.09 |
| 39 | Montana | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $31,919 | $15.35 |
| 41 | Missouri | $32,248 | $15.50 |
| 42 | Oregon | $33,105 | $15.92 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $31,237 | $15.02 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $32,808 | $15.77 |
| 45 | Delaware | $33,230 | $15.98 |
| 46 | Texas | $31,421 | $15.11 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $32,606 | $15.68 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $30,391 | $14.61 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $30,656 | $14.74 |
| 50 | Alabama | $28,231 | $13.57 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $30,499 | $14.66 |
Highest paying cities for truck loaders
The highest-paying cities for truck loaders are Boston, MA, Kent, WA, and Fargo, ND.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $42,085 | $20.23 |
| 2 | Kent, WA | $40,719 | $19.58 |
| 3 | Fargo, ND | $40,352 | $19.40 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $39,180 | $18.84 |
| 5 | Brighton, CO | $38,716 | $18.61 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $37,683 | $18.12 |
| 7 | Kansas City, KS | $37,158 | $17.86 |
| 8 | Chicago Heights, IL | $34,437 | $16.56 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $34,373 | $16.53 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $34,165 | $16.43 |
| 11 | Tigard, OR | $33,101 | $15.91 |
| 12 | El Paso, TX | $32,620 | $15.68 |
| 13 | Tampa, FL | $32,542 | $15.65 |
| 14 | Charlotte, NC | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $30,652 | $14.74 |
| 16 | Omaha, NE | $30,400 | $14.62 |
Truck loader salary details
A truck loader's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a truck loader's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,749 | $2,896 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying truck loader jobs
The highest paying types of truck loaders are lift truck operator, barge loader, and material handler/forklift operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Material Handler | $33,215 | $2,768 | $15.97 | 174,068 |
| Lift Driver | $34,457 | $2,871 | $16.57 | 72,334 |
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Loader/Unloader | $31,827 | $2,652 | $15.30 | 67,063 |
| Unloader | $32,885 | $2,740 | $15.81 | 63,202 |
Top companies hiring truck loaders now:
Which companies pay truck loaders the most?
Truck loader salaries at Kemps and Dairy Farmers of America are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average truck loader salary at companies like United Natural Foods and SF-Marin Food Bank are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kemps | $44,162 | $21.23 |
| 2 | Dairy Farmers of America | $43,805 | $21.06 |
| 3 | United Natural Foods | $42,958 | $20.65 |
| 4 | SF-Marin Food Bank | $42,821 | $20.59 |
| 5 | Olympic Steel | $41,296 | $19.85 |
| 6 | US Foods | $41,094 | $19.76 |
| 7 | U.S. Silica | $41,074 | $19.75 |
| 8 | Continental Carbonic Products | $40,562 | $19.50 |
| 9 | Cargill | $40,153 | $19.30 |
| 10 | Praxair | $39,228 | $18.86 |
| 11 | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co | $39,135 | $18.81 |
| 12 | Tempur Sealy International | $38,991 | $18.75 |
| 13 | Bimbo Bakeries | $38,706 | $18.61 |
| 14 | Oriental Trading | $38,476 | $18.50 |
| 15 | Foley Products | $38,437 | $18.48 |
| 16 | U.S. Venture | $38,414 | $18.47 |
| 17 | Staples | $38,153 | $18.34 |
| 18 | Henry Schein | $38,004 | $18.27 |
| 19 | Fortune International Group | $37,772 | $18.16 |
| 20 | ACCO Brands | $37,709 | $18.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Truck loader salary trends
The average truck loader salary has risen by $4,381 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average truck loader earned $30,368 annually, but today, they earn $34,749 a year. That works out to a 28% change in pay for truck loaders over the last decade.
Compare truck loader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average truck loader salary over time
Compare truck loader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Truck loader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,700 | $16.71 | +7.1% |
| 2025 | $32,300 | $15.52 | +9.8% |
| 2024 | $29,100 | $14.00 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | $28,100 | $13.50 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $27,300 | $13.10 | -2.5% |
Recently added truck loader salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Food Group | Truck Loader: Warehouse Day +Incentive | Lebanon, TN | 06/28/2025 | $34,436 |
| Performance Foodservice | Truck Loader: Warehouse Day +Incentive | Lebanon, TN | 06/28/2025 | $34,436 |
| Core Mark | Truck Loader: Warehouse Day +Incentive | Lebanon, TN | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Aerotek | Truck Loader | Morrisville, PA | 06/26/2025 | $42,784 |
| Oldcastle Buildingenvelope | Loader Truck | Westbrook, ME | 06/26/2025 | $41,740 |
| Olympic Steel | Truck Loader | Plymouth, MN | 06/24/2025 | $43,806 |
| Unifirst Corporation | Production Team Partner-Truck Loader-Unifirst | Puyallup, WA | 06/24/2025 | $34,436 |
| Reser's Fine Foods Stay Connected Email Address | Warehouse Truck Loader | Spokane Valley, WA | 06/24/2025 | $35,479 |
| Puyallup Wa | Production Team Partner-Truck Loader-Unifirst | Puyallup, WA | 06/24/2025 | $34,436 |
| Staffworx Group | Truck Loader | Harrisburg, PA | 06/22/2025 | $31,305 |
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