Prevailing Wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Prevailing wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders (SOC 53-7121) is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys across hundreds of U.S. metros. Whether your job title reads Loader, Loading Operator, or Oil Movements Operator, the floor varies by experience level and worksite city.
See all jobs for this roleLook up your work address
Entry-level Loaders with limited experience and minimal independent judgment. Workers at this level follow close supervision, perform routine loading tasks, and typically hold no specialized certifications. DOL treats Level 1 as the starting wage floor for new hires in this occupation.
Qualified Loaders with moderate experience who work with general supervision and handle standard loading procedures with some independent judgment. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders, reflecting the typical sponsored hire profile.
Experienced Loaders who operate with limited supervision, troubleshoot equipment issues, and may train junior workers. DOL recognizes Level 3 for workers who bring demonstrated field experience and handle complex or hazardous material loading without close oversight.
Fully competent senior Loaders or lead operators who exercise independent judgment across all loading tasks, set procedural standards, and may supervise others. Level 4 applies to workers at the top of the occupation's skill range with extensive field experience.
Prevailing Wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for this role
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Watch for title mismatches on LCA filings
Employers sometimes file LCAs for Oil Movements Operators or Loading Operators under a different SOC, shifting the prevailing wage floor away from SOC 53-7121. Confirm that the job order and LCA list SOC 53-7121 before you sign an offer.
Factor out signing bonuses before comparing offers
DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against base wages only. One-time signing bonuses paid at hire do not count toward the annual wage floor for sponsored Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders positions, so strip them out when evaluating whether an offer clears the L2 floor.
Prioritize Gulf Coast and Midwest refinery metros
New Orleans and Louisville show notably higher L3 and L4 ceilings for this occupation compared to lower-paying metros like Oklahoma City or Buffalo. Loaders with hazmat or bulk-chemical experience can often command wages well above the L2 floor in high-activity refinery and port corridors.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with loading history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have previously sponsored Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders or related roles, so you can focus applications on companies already familiar with filing LCAs for this occupation rather than those sponsoring it for the first time.
Jobs for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-7121.00 alongside Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Load Out Person Prevailing Wage
Load Out Person Prevailing Wage
Load Out Person positions fall under SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Loader Prevailing Wage
Loader Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Loader for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Loading Operator Prevailing Wage
Loading Operator Prevailing Wage
Loading Operator positions fall under SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Oil Movements Operator Prevailing Wage
Oil Movements Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Oil Movements Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader) Prevailing Wage
PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader) Prevailing Wage
PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Rail Car Loader Prevailing Wage
Rail Car Loader Prevailing Wage
Rail Car Loader positions fall under SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tank Car Loader Prevailing Wage
Tank Car Loader Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tank Car Loader for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tankerman Prevailing Wage
Tankerman Prevailing Wage
Tankerman is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Truck Loader Prevailing Wage
Truck Loader Prevailing Wage
Truck Loader positions fall under SOC 53-7121.00 (Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For SOC 53-7121, DOL assigns four wage levels based on experience and job complexity. Employers sponsoring a worker in this occupation must pay at least the level that matches the actual duties and experience required for the position.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 covers entry workers under close supervision with little independent judgment. Level 2 covers qualified workers handling standard tasks with general oversight and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced workers with limited supervision. Level 4 covers fully competent senior or lead operators. Your level should match the duties, supervision, and experience requirements described in the actual job, not just the title on the offer letter.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Loader role vary so much city to city?
DOL bases prevailing wages on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. A Loading Operator in Toledo or New Orleans works in a denser industrial and port market where wages are higher, while Oklahoma City or Buffalo reflect lower regional averages. The LCA must list the actual worksite, and DOL applies the wage for that specific area, not a national average.
What happens if a job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot legally certify an LCA at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite and experience level. If the offered salary falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA, and USCIS will not approve the H-1B or other sponsored petition. The employer must either raise the offered wage to meet the floor or refile at the correct wage level before the petition can proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 53-7121 filtered by the worksite metropolitan area. Select the experience level that matches the job duties to see the applicable floor. You can also cross-reference O*NET for occupation details. Migrate Mate lists employers with historical sponsorship records for this occupation, letting you see which companies have actively filed for similar roles in specific locations.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders right now.
Search Jobs for this role