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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $41,230 in the US and is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.57 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £29,259 a year for Plant and machine operatives n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8139). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Conveyor operators and tenders, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Distribute materials, supplies, and equipment to work stations, using lifts and trucks.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Conveyor operators and tenders do?
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.
How much does Conveyor operators and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Conveyor operators and tenders in the US is $41,230.
What is the job outlook for Conveyor operators and tenders?
The role is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 29,100 workers.
How do I become conveyor operators and tenders?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Conveyor operators and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Conveyor operators and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Conveyor operators and tenders a score of 0.57 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Conveyor operators and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.