Will “Dock Loader” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

72% Chance of Automation

“Dock Loader” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #396 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-7121.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 39,590.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 19.00
Currently, there are 10,920 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Dock Loader”

Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.
Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
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.
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.
Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.

Related Technology & Tools

Warehouse forklifts
Digital hydrometers
Electric hoists
Reach trucks
Mobile shiploaders
Wheeled front end loaders
Protective respirators
Mechanical spray nozzles
Walk behind pallet jacks
Stock pickers
Conveyor belt systems
Computer laser printers
Tablet computers
Personal computers
Riding pallet jacks
Skid steers
Loading scales

Data entry software
CompuWeigh GMS
Microsoft Excel
Distributed control system DCS