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The differences between cargo handlers and freight handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight handler has an average salary of $35,944, 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 freight handler are basic math, pallets, and math.
| Cargo Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $32,044 | $35,944 |
| Hourly rate | $15.41 | $17.28 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 59,142 | 67,422 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A freight handler is responsible for monitoring the distribution and delivery of the freight, unloading and storing materials, and verifying the accurate information of the freight records. Freight handlers inspect the condition and quality of the goods and materials before loading into the distribution trucks for shipment. They also operate various warehouse tools and equipment to transport merchandise from the vehicle to different parts of the facility. A freight handler must be highly organized, especially in checking the correct tagging of items and conducting safety checks.
Cargo handlers and freight handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cargo Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Average salary | $32,044 | $35,944 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Worldwide Flight Services Inc | R+L Carriers |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a cargo handler and a freight handler in terms of educational background:
| Cargo Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and freight handlers' demographics:
| Cargo Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4% | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% |
| 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, 13.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |