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The differences between cargo handlers and material handler leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler lead has an average salary of $37,147, 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 material handler lead are logistics, safety procedures, and material handlers.
| Cargo Handler | Material Handler Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $32,044 | $37,147 |
| Hourly rate | $15.41 | $17.86 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 59,142 | 37,577 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| 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 material handler lead, also known as a package handler, warehouse associate, or hand laborer, manually moves products, merchandise, stock, and other materials. This role tends to be found within supply chains, manufacturing, production, shipping, storage, or customer receiving. This role entails maintaining inventory, taking note of the location of stock, verifying production orders, loading delivery trucks, and filling client orders. They also need to ensure safety in the working area and maintain accurate documentation of the materials that are being shipped.
Cargo handlers and material handler leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cargo Handler | Material Handler Lead | |
| Average salary | $32,044 | $37,147 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $29,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Worldwide Flight Services Inc | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cargo handler and a material handler lead in terms of educational background:
| Cargo Handler | Material Handler Lead | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and material handler leads' demographics:
| Cargo Handler | Material Handler Lead | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4% | Male, 82.2% Female, 17.8% |
| 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, 13.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |