The average salary for a ship loader in the United States is around $58,870 per year.
Avg Salary
Ship loaders earn an average yearly salary of $58,870.
Wages typically start from $39,460 and go up to $83,160.
13% below national average Updated in 2025
Ship loader earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level ship loader earnings begin at:
$39.98 per hour
$83,160 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level ship loader earnings begin at:
$33.69 per hour
$70,060 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level ship loader earnings begin at:
$28.30 per hour
$58,870 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level ship loader earnings begin at:
$22.26 per hour
$46,300 per year
10th percentile
Starting level ship loader earnings begin at:
$18.97 per hour
$39,460 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Ship loader salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $81,320 |
| South Carolina | $80,700 |
| Montana | $80,070 |
| Minnesota | $76,620 |
| Alabama | $75,450 |
| Oregon | $74,040 |
| Massachusetts | $71,750 |
| New Hampshire | $70,030 |
| California | $68,600 |
| New Jersey | $64,890 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 |
| Texas | $61,170 |
| Louisiana | $58,900 |
| Michigan | $57,900 |
| Missouri | $57,750 |
| Ohio | $57,700 |
| Wisconsin | $57,250 |
| West Virginia | $54,750 |
| Utah | $53,370 |
| Kentucky | $53,160 |
| Iowa | $51,450 |
| Colorado | $51,200 |
| Georgia | $51,160 |
| Washington | $48,580 |
| New York | $48,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,120 |
| New Mexico | $48,010 |
| Tennessee | $46,640 |
| Nebraska | $46,300 |
| Florida | $45,540 |
| Hawaii | $45,240 |
| North Carolina | $44,910 |
| Indiana | $44,310 |
| Maine | $42,830 |
| Idaho | $41,700 |
| Virginia | $41,190 |
| Mississippi | $41,180 |
| Illinois | $37,240 |
| Oklahoma | $35,360 |
| Arizona | $34,860 |
| Arkansas | $33,800 |
| Kansas | $31,080 |
| Alaska | $26,140 |
| Wyoming | $101,790 |
How do ship loader salaries compare to similar careers?
Ship loaders earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than plasterers but more than roofers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Plasterer salary | $58K |
| Traffic technician salary | $59K |
| Bus driver salary | $59K |
| Derrick operator salary | $59K |
| Cement mason salary | $57K |
| Ship loader salary | $59K |
| Glazier salary | $57K |
| Truck driver salary | $59K |
| Tile and marble setter salary | $56K |
| Roofer salary | $55K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)