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Skilled Trades

Conveyor Operators and Tenders

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$42,420

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $59k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Conveyor Operators and Tenders" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Conveyor Operators and Tenders

    Entry / Junior

    $36,180

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Conveyor Operators and Tenders

    Established

    $42,420

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Conveyor Operators and Tenders

    Senior

    $50,945

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Inform supervisors of equipment malfunctions that need to be addressed.
  • •Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
  • •Record production data such as weights, types, quantities, and storage locations of materials, as well as equipment performance problems and downtime.
  • •Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
  • •Stop equipment or machinery and clear jams, using poles, bars, and hand tools, or remove damaged materials from conveyors.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.