Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders
SOC: 53-7011 O*NET: 53-7011.00
Median Salary
$41,230
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.
What does a Conveyor Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,940
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,500
25th percentile
Median
$41,230
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,640
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,390
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,940
25th
$37,500
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,230
Mean: $44,800
75th
$48,640
90th
$60,390
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,500 and $48,640
- •Salary spread is 27.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 26,060 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:29,100
Top Industries
Couriers and Messengers40.5%
Couriers and Express Delivery Services40.5%
Manufacturing22.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.4%
Annual Openings:2,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)29,100
Current
2034 (Projected)28,100
-3.4%
-1,000
Employment Change
-3.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Conveyor Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
California
3,480 jobs$41,6601.14x
Texas
1,910 jobs$37,6000.82x
Kentucky
1,530 jobs$55,9204.54x
Kansas
1,040 jobs$39,8704.31x
Nebraska
1,030 jobs$39,6505.99x
Virginia
960 jobs$38,7101.39x
Michigan
820 jobs$43,3301.11x
Florida
810 jobs$37,5000.49x
Georgia
790 jobs$36,3300.96x
North Carolina
760 jobs$38,1100.92x
Oklahoma
740 jobs$36,1802.59x
Arizona
670 jobs$38,5601.25x
Indiana
660 jobs$45,4101.22x
Ohio
660 jobs$37,5900.71x
New York
650 jobs$43,0400.40x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
90%
#3
Monitoring
80%
#4
Active Listening
70%
#5
Critical Thinking
60%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
50%
#7
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.5
90%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.5
50%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance90%
abilities
4.5/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance50%
abilities
2.5/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88%
5 shared skills
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders78%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Highway Maintenance Workers75%
5 shared skills
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders75%
5 shared skills
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic71%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAP software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Position deflector bars, gates, chutes, or spouts to divert flow of materials from one conveyor onto another conveyor.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Weigh or measure materials and products, using scales or other measuring instruments, or read scales on conveyors that continually weigh products, to verify specified tonnages and prevent overloads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Manipulate controls, levers, and valves to start pumps, auxiliary equipment, or conveyors, and to adjust equipment positions, speeds, timing, and material flows.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Record production data such as weights, types, quantities, and storage locations of materials, as well as equipment performance problems and downtime.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Inform supervisors of equipment malfunctions that need to be addressed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean, sterilize, and maintain equipment, machinery, and work stations, using hand tools, shovels, brooms, chemicals, hoses, and lubricants.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Read production and delivery schedules, and confer with supervisors, to determine sorting and transfer procedures, arrangement of packages on pallets, and destinations of loaded pallets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Repair or replace equipment components or parts such as blades, rolls, and pumps.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Contact workers in work stations or other departments to request movement of materials, products, or machinery, or to notify them of incoming shipments and their estimated delivery times.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Conveyor Operators and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Conveyor Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.33
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.28
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.26
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.19
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.07
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.3
Concern for Others
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Independence
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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