JOB REPORT / 53-7121 · 19 TASKS

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders.

Can AI do the work of Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Record operating data
Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers…
Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating…

Your free lesson plan builds the skills that keep you ahead of AI.

A free set of short lessons, about 20 minutes each, at your own pace. No payment, no experience needed.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

8 of 19 tasks reviewed

This job has 19 core tasks. We went through 8 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
AI DOES
Auto-fills logs, spots data errors, and organizes records from digital sensors
YOU DO
Verify physical gauge readings and confirm conditions are safe before logging
TASK 02
Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
AI DOES
Cross-checks load numbers against digital manifests and flags discrepancies
YOU DO
Physically confirm the right vehicle is in the right spot before loading begins
TASK 03
Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
AI DOES
Monitors sensor data and alerts workers to flow changes or anomalies
YOU DO
Stay on-site to direct team responses and make real-time safety calls
TASK 04
Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
AI DOES
Monitors camera feeds and flags timing cues for spout positioning
YOU DO
Physically operate the spout and react safely to unexpected movement or conditions
TASK 05
Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
AI DOES
Monitors sensor data and helps schedule or track loading operations
YOU DO
Stay present to operate controls, spot hazards, and react to changing conditions
TASK 06
Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
AI DOES
Monitors sensor data and flags flow rate issues
YOU DO
Stay on-site to physically adjust valves and respond to changing conditions
TASK 07
Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
AI DOES
Helps track inventory counts and flags order errors on a screen
YOU DO
Physically handle, inspect, and move materials in the warehouse
TASK 08
Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
AI DOES
Monitors sensor data and flags equipment alerts on a screen
YOU DO
Stay on-site to physically operate controls and respond to changing conditions safely

START LEARNING AI

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.

There are 8 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
SOC code: 53-7121
Tasks reviewed: 8 of 19

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $58,870 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $51,200 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 10,700
Employed in Colorado: 80
Job outlook: +4.3% by 2034 · ~1,300 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Your job, task by task.

Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.

Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.

Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.

Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.

Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.

Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.

Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.

Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

More Transportation and Material Moving jobs

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.