5 of the Most Popular Types of Yard Operative Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Yard Operative jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Yard Operative Jobs

• Non Cdl Yard Jockey

  Salary range: $39,500 - $51,000

  Non Cdl Yard Jockey is a common job search query. Most salaries for Non Cdl Yard Jockey jobs pay between $39,500 (25th percentile) and $51,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Non Cdl Yard Jockey job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Yard Hand

  Salary range: $31,500 - $39,500

  A yard hand is responsible for performing various manual labor tasks, often in an industrial setting. As a yard hand, your job duties vary depending on the company but typically include stacking and moving items throughout the industrial facility, cleaning equipment, and fulfilling general maintenance tasks as required, all while adhering to safety policies. The qualifications for a career as a yard hand include a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate. Employers prefer candidates with similar experience performing manual labor, but it’s not typically required. Physical skills are most important for this job, as yard hands perform labor-intensive tasks and need to be able to work outdoors in various climates.

• Yard Jockey

  Salary range: $39,500 - $51,000

  As a yard jockey, your job is to operate a terminal tractor, also known as a yard jockey or yard dog, and help move semi-trailers within a cargo yard or warehouse environment. As a driver, you may help inspect containers, manage equipment, and otherwise ensure the safe and smooth maneuvering of all trailers. On rare occasions, you may use other warehouse equipment to help transport goods, but most yard jockeys focus entirely on moving semi-trailers.

• Warehouse

  Salary range: $32,000 - $38,000

  Warehouse is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Warehouse jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $38,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are lots of open positions nationwide for Warehouse job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Yard Spotter

  Salary range: $40,000 - $48,000

  At a cargo depot or a shipping port, a yard spotter, also known as a yard jockey, directs and engages in the loading and unloading of cargo while ensuring smooth and safe traffic flow for trucks or vessels. Your responsibilities are to ensure that docks or cargo bays are free when new trucks come into the yard or container ships are offloaded, and you help the yard manager and other personnel with basic maintenance around the storage lot or docks. You have basic administrative and regulatory duties, monitoring and logging container and truck weights and tracking information.