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Best Jobs For Former Material Handlers [2026]

By Chris Kolmar
Jul. 13, 2022
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 1, 2026

Best Jobs for Former Material Handlers in 2026

The landscape for material handlers has evolved significantly in recent years. Many professionals are seeking new opportunities, leading to a shift in confidence within the field.

While the number of individuals pursuing coursework related to material handling remains stable, a decline in applications for these positions has emerged, reflecting broader workforce trends.

This prompts an important question:

What career paths are former material handlers pursuing now?

To explore this, we analyzed the resumes of individuals who have transitioned from material handling roles to other professions. After reviewing thousands of entries, we focused on the top 100 jobs they shifted to.

Some of these transitions are unexpected and noteworthy, so we’ll spotlight a few of the most interesting options available.

Top Career Alternatives for Former Material Handlers

  1. Operator Roles

  2. Assembler Positions

  3. Shipping and Receiving Clerk Roles

  4. Order Selector Positions

  5. Production Worker Roles

  6. Picker and Packer Positions

  7. Press Operator Roles

  8. Picker Positions

  9. Order Picker Roles

  10. Forklift Driver Positions

While some of these positions may be more appealing than others, they are certainly compelling options for those transitioning from material handling.

The complete list of career opportunities can be found below.

Ranking of Most Common Jobs for Former Material Handlers

Rank Job Title %
1 Machine Operator 3.67%
2 Forklift Operator 2.93%
3 Customer Service Representative 1.85%
4 Warehouse Associate 1.41%
5 Warehouse Worker 1.14%
6 Sales Associate 0.84%
7 Driver 0.78%
8 Technician 0.73%
9 Cashier 0.72%
10 Security Officer 0.71%
11 Material Handler/Forklift Operator 0.69%
12 Operator 0.67%
13 Assembler 0.67%
14 Shipping and Receiving Clerk 0.62%
15 Supervisor 0.59%
16 Order Selector 0.59%
17 Maintenance Technician 0.54%
18 Delivery Driver 0.53%
19 Team Leader 0.53%
20 Truck Driver 0.51%
21 Production Worker 0.51%
22 Welder 0.45%
23 Picker and Packer 0.43%
24 Press Operator 0.43%
25 Assistant Manager 0.43%
26 Picker 0.41%
27 Order Picker 0.39%
28 Associate 0.39%
29 Forklift Driver 0.38%
30 Package Handler 0.37%
31 Shipping Clerk 0.37%
32 Quality Control Inspector 0.36%
33 Cook 0.34%
34 Shipping and Receiving Coordinator 0.34%
35 Quality Inspector 0.34%
36 Customer Service Trainer 0.33%
37 Manager 0.32%
38 Sorter 0.32%
39 Numerical Control Operator 0.31%
40 Material Coordinator 0.31%
41 Administrative Assistant 0.31%
42 Inventory Control Specialist 0.3%
43 Warehouse Supervisor 0.3%
44 Service Technician 0.28%
45 Sales Representative 0.28%
46 Production Associate 0.28%
47 Inventory Specialist 0.27%
48 Packer 0.27%
49 Warehouse Manager 0.27%
50 Operations Manager 0.27%
51 Dock Worker 0.26%
52 Production Operator 0.26%
53 Warehouse Lead 0.26%
54 Equipment Operator 0.25%
55 Operation Supervisor 0.25%
56 Manufacturing Technician 0.25%
57 Crew Member 0.25%
58 Receiving Clerk 0.24%
59 Assembly Line Worker 0.24%
60 Security Guard 0.24%
61 Installer 0.24%
62 Production Supervisor 0.24%
63 Internship 0.23%
64 Mail Clerk 0.23%
65 Laboratory Technician 0.22%
66 Certified Nursing Assistant 0.22%
67 Ship Worker 0.21%
68 Owner 0.21%
69 Production Technician 0.2%
70 Cleaner 0.2%
71 Stocker 0.2%
72 Helper/Driver 0.2%
73 Specialist 0.2%
74 Supply Technician 0.2%
75 Mechanic 0.19%
76 Machinist 0.19%
77 Inventory Controller 0.19%
78 Loader/Unloader 0.18%
79 Custodian 0.18%
80 CNC Machinist 0.18%
81 Handle Machine Operator 0.18%
82 Clerk 0.18%
83 Janitor 0.18%
84 Data Entry Clerk 0.18%
85 Courier 0.18%
86 Inspector 0.17%
87 Stower 0.17%
88 Substitute Teacher 0.17%
89 Server 0.17%
90 Home Health Aide 0.17%
91 Quality Assurance 0.17%
92 Repair Technician 0.17%
93 Lift Operator 0.16%
94 Owner/Operator 0.16%
95 Ramp Agent 0.16%
96 Coordinator 0.16%
97 Medical Assistant 0.16%
98 Quality Control 0.15%
99 Pharmacy Technician 0.15%
100 Order Filler 0.15%

Most Common Positions for Former Material Handlers

  1. Machine Operator

  2. Forklift Operator

  3. Customer Service Representative

  4. Warehouse Associate

  5. Warehouse Worker

  6. Sales Associate

  7. Driver

  8. Technician

  9. Cashier

  10. Security Officer

These positions not only leverage the skills acquired as a material handler but also serve as viable pathways to further career advancement.

Importantly, these roles align with the skills and experiences that many former material handlers possess, making them suitable options for career transition.

Methodology for Identifying Top Jobs for Former Material Handlers

Our analysis utilized data from over 7 million resumes, focusing on those that included material handler as a work history entry. We identified subsequent job titles listed by these individuals, ranking them based on frequency.

To highlight unique positions, we sifted through the ranked data to find roles that:

  • Appeared in less than 1% of all new job listings
  • Were not included in the top 100 common jobs identified in our database

In conclusion, as the job market continues to evolve, former material handlers have a range of promising career paths available to them. By leveraging their existing skills and exploring new opportunities, they can successfully transition into fulfilling roles in various industries.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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