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Stevedores


Overview

Stevedores

Introduction

Stevedores, commonly known as longshore workers or dockworkers, handle cargo at ports, often using materials-handling machinery and gear. They load and unload ships at docks and transfer cargo to and from storage areas or other transports, such as trucks and barges. Members of the water transportation industry, stevedores are employed at ports all over the United States. The concentration of jobs is at the large ports on the coasts, and experienced skilled workers hold most of the positions.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$42,360

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma


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Experience

On-the-job training


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Skills

Building/Trades
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Personality Traits

Athletic
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Earnings

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that tank car, truck, and ship loaders made a median hourly wage of $20.36, or $42,360 a year, in May 2019. Salaries ranged from less than $28,090 to $76,050 or more. Those who worked in the inland water transportation industry earned an average salary of $46,370. Stevedores receive extra pay for handling certain difficult or dangerous cargoes and for workin...

Work Environment

Some parts of piers are covered by sheds, yet many stevedores work outdoors much of the time, including in bad weather. Working around materials-handling machinery can be noisy. At times, hours may be very long, such as when it is important that a lot of cargo be moved on and off piers quickly. Stevedores work under stress to meet deadlines. Some work is strenuous, involving lifting heavy mater...

Outlook

The employment outlook for stevedoring workers varies by profession, but, in general, it is expected to be weak in coming years—although certain large ports will experience growth and require larger numbers of specialized workers. The coronavirus pandemic impeded the cargo shipping industry earlier in 2020, due to lockdowns in various countries. Stevedores, however, are deemed essential workers...