Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data, company reports, and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has developed average salary estimates for various jobs across the United States. From this data, the team has pinpointed the highest-paying roles within the material handling sector based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings for the top-paying material handler positions:
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The highest-paid position is the Material Handler Lead, with an average salary of $37,147 and an hourly rate of $17.86.
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Following closely is the Material Handler/Forklift Operator, earning an average salary of $36,453.
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The overall average salary for material handlers stands at $33,215 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $15.97.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be a challenging decision. While salary should not be the sole factor, it plays a significant role in career planning. If you’re considering a role as a material handler, it’s essential to understand which positions offer the highest salaries to effectively strategize your career growth.
Below are the top salaries for various types of material handlers:
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Material Handler Lead
Average Salary: $37,147
A Material Handler Lead, also referred to as a package handler, warehouse associate, or hand laborer, is responsible for manually moving products, merchandise, stock, and other materials. This role is crucial in sectors such as supply chains, manufacturing, production, shipping, storage, and customer receiving. Responsibilities include maintaining inventory, tracking stock locations, verifying production orders, loading delivery trucks, and fulfilling client orders, all while ensuring safety and accurate documentation of shipped materials.
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Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average Salary: $36,453
A Material Handler and Forklift Operator is tasked with transporting and storing a wide array of goods, including fragile and hazardous items. The duties and working environment can vary significantly based on the specific industry. Essential skills include operating machinery, effective communication, and meticulous attention to detail. This role also requires monitoring products, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating with team members and supervisors.
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Driver/Material Handler
Average Salary: $36,219
Primarily, a Driver/Material Handler facilitates the production and distribution of goods through inventory management, delivery of materials, and staging of finished products. Responsibilities may also include handling hazardous materials and ensuring effective communication with customers.
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Dock Worker
Average Salary: $36,027
Dock workers, also known as material movers, are primarily engaged in loading and unloading ships. While formal education is not a prerequisite, physical strength, endurance, and agility are crucial for success in this role.
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Warehouseman
Average Salary: $36,022
A Warehouseman supports inventory management, shipping, and receiving activities within warehouses. Key responsibilities include processing incoming materials, filling orders, and organizing supplies. Skills in speed, accuracy, and task prioritization are essential.
Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the average salaries for various high-paying material handler roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Material Handlers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Material Handler Lead | |
| 2 | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| 3 | Driver/Material Handler | |
| 4 | Dock Worker | |
| 5 | Warehouseman | |
| 6 | Freight Handler | |
| 7 | Production Forklift Operator | |
| 8 | Forklift Operator | |
| 9 | Warehouse Machine Operator | |
| 10 | Shipper Receiver | |
| 11 | Forklift Driver | |
| 12 | Forklift Operator And Receiver | |
| 13 | Assembler/Material Handler | |
| 14 | Package Handler | |
| 15 | Can Handler | |
| 16 | Material Handler/Warehouse | |
| 17 | Lift Operator | |
| 18 | Fork Truck Operator | |
| 19 | Merchandise Handler | |
| 20 | Warehouse Labour |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available information from governmental agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to derive its salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company resources to obtain the most current salary information for material handling roles.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For a more in-depth understanding of our salary estimates, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Material Handler Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid material handler job?
The highest-paid material handler job is a Material Handler Lead. Material Handler Leads earn an average salary of $37,147, or $17.86 hourly.
A Material Handler Lead, also known as a package handler, warehouse associate, or hand laborer, primarily moves products, merchandise, stock, and other materials manually. This role is vital within supply chains, manufacturing, and shipping functions, involving inventory maintenance and the safe handling of materials.
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What is a good salary for a material handler?
A good salary for a material handler is $33,215 or more. This figure represents the average salary for material handlers, and earning at least this amount indicates above-average pay.
However, salaries can vary by location due to differing living costs. Research the average salary in your area to gauge your compensation accurately. For entry-level material handlers, the average salary is approximately $28,273, so keep this in mind when evaluating your pay.
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Do Material Handler jobs pay well?
No, material handler jobs generally do not pay exceptionally well. The average salary of $33,215 is lower than the national average salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Nevertheless, there is potential for higher earnings, with the top 10% of material handlers earning an average of $53,140 annually. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s crucial to remain informed and negotiate your pay accordingly.
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Where do material handlers get paid the most?
Material handlers earn the highest salaries in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, the average annual salary for material handlers is $37,294, with an hourly wage of $17.93.
The states with the next highest average salaries for material handlers are Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa, with average salaries of $38,144, $36,004, and $35,428 respectively.
The cities offering the best pay for material handlers include:
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Minneapolis, MN – $38,154
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Milwaukee, WI – $37,328
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Tacoma, WA – $36,798
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Author
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.
