What does an assembler/material handler do?
Assembler/material handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real assembler/material handler resumes:
- Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
- Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
- Handle the receiving/ shipping function and movement of inventory, including inventory documentation of GMP materials.
- Bag groceries for on base families and help load them into cars.
Assembler/material handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Assembler/Material Handlers are proficient in Line Assembly, Safety Procedures, and Electric Pallet Jack. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical strength, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Assembler/Material Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Line Assembly, 18%
Supervised production line 1 Line Assembly Forklift Operation
- Safety Procedures, 14%
Assured this person by verifying all OSHA safety procedures and processes were followed.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 12%
Used electric pallet Jack to get materials to production lines, never letting any line run out of materials halting production.
- Safety Rules, 6%
Clean out the machine by using safety rules.
- RF, 5%
Scanned different locations using RF Scanner.
- Quality Checks, 4%
Document daily quality checks on part specifications and performed minor mold maintenance and equipment maintenance.
Most assembler/material handlers use their skills in "line assembly," "safety procedures," and "electric pallet jack" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential assembler/material handler responsibilities here:
Listening skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an assembler/material handler to have is listening skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Assembler/material handlers often use listening skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "communicated with purchasing department regarding shipment discrepancies from vendors or problems associated with purchase orders. "
Physical strength. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling assembler/material handler duties is physical strength. The role rewards competence in this skill because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." According to an assembler/material handler resume, here's how assembler/material handlers can utilize physical strength in their job responsibilities: "performed physical inventory observed all safety rules and regulations. "
Customer-service skills. This is an important skill for assembler/material handlers to perform their duties. For an example of how assembler/material handler responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an assembler/material handler: "receive, stock and pull inventory for production assembly packaged finished goods for shipment inventory cycle counts assemble straps customer service".
The three companies that hire the most assembler/material handlers are:
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Compare different assembler/material handlers
Assembler/material handler vs. Dock worker
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, assembler/material handler responsibilities require skills like "line assembly," "rf," "quality checks," and "production lines." Meanwhile a typical dock worker has skills in areas such as "tractor trailer," "ltl," "unload trailers," and "basic math." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Dock workers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,927. On the other hand, assembler/material handlers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,778.On average, dock workers reach similar levels of education than assembler/material handlers. Dock workers are 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Assembler/material handler vs. Stacker
A stacker operates machines to fit lumber stacks. These machines include conveyer chains, mechanical hands, and rollers. They may also be required to burn off feather edges with a gas torch.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that assembler/material handler responsibilities requires skills like "line assembly," "rf," "production lines," and "cnc." But a stacker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pallets," "stack boxes," "stackers," and "assembly line."
Stackers earn a lower average salary than assembler/material handlers. But stackers earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $32,074. Additionally, assembler/material handlers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $36,778 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Stackers tend to reach similar levels of education than assembler/material handlers. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assembler/material handler vs. Mover
Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes. Among the elements, they do include the preparation, loading, and unloading of items. They are also notable as material movers and hand laborers. Some movers drive a moving truck. However, they should not be burdened with any issue with a high value like jewelry and cash.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an assembler/material handler is likely to be skilled in "line assembly," "safety procedures," "electric pallet jack," and "rf," while a typical mover is skilled in "office furniture," "customer service," "household goods," and "pallet jack."
Movers typically earn similar educational levels compared to assembler/material handlers. Specifically, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assembler/material handler vs. Fork truck operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between assembler/material handlers and fork truck operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an assembler/material handler might have more use for skills like "line assembly," "electric pallet jack," "quality checks," and "cycle counts." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of fork truck operators require skills like "pallets," "load trailers," "pallet jack," and "assembly line. "
The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for fork truck operators, with average annual pay of $37,114. Comparatively, the highest assembler/material handler annual salary comes from the automotive industry.In general, fork truck operators hold similar degree levels compared to assembler/material handlers. Fork truck operators are 0.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of assembler/material handler
Updated January 8, 2025
