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The differences between cargo handlers and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a driver/material handler has an average salary of $36,219, which is higher than the $32,044 average annual salary of a cargo handler.
The top three skills for a cargo handler include pallets, safety policies and quality standards. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.
| Cargo Handler | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $32,044 | $36,219 |
| Hourly rate | $15.41 | $17.41 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 59,142 | 198,718 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A cargo handler usually works for airline companies and airports where they are primarily in charge of moving baggage and other cargo, ensuring that they reach their destination timely and accurately. Their job entails operating forklifts or conveyor belts to transport cargo, lifting moderate to heavy packages, labeling or scanning items, and maintaining extensive records. Moreover, a cargo handler must keep an open and transparent communication line with fellow cargo handlers to ensure an accurate and smooth workflow.
Primarily, driver/material handlers help maintain the production and distribution of products through inventory pullout, production materials, and supplies delivery, and finished product staging. Material handlers manage the transport of equipment or ammunition and conduct the planning and execution functions for effective grind force training. They pick and audit hazmat materials and deliver them to their customers. Also, they develop and expedite clear and effective communication with their customers.
Cargo handlers and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cargo Handler | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average salary | $32,044 | $36,219 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Worldwide Flight Services Inc | Merck |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a cargo handler and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:
| Cargo Handler | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and driver/material handlers' demographics:
| Cargo Handler | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4% | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |