Cargo handler vs truck unloader

The differences between cargo handlers and truck unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a truck unloader has an average salary of $32,543, 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 truck unloader are electric pallet jack, pallets, and sales floor.

Cargo handler vs truck unloader overview

	Cargo Handler	Truck Unloader
Yearly salary	$32,044	$32,543
Hourly rate	$15.41	$15.65
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	59,142	42,020
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 63%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Cargo handler vs truck unloader salary

Cargo handlers and truck unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cargo Handler	Truck Unloader
Average salary	$32,044	$32,543
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Worldwide Flight Services Inc	Oriental Trading
Best paying industry	Technology	Transportation

Differences between cargo handler and truck unloader education

There are a few differences between a cargo handler and a truck unloader in terms of educational background:

	Cargo Handler	Truck Unloader
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cargo handler vs truck unloader demographics

Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and truck unloaders' demographics:

	Cargo Handler	Truck Unloader
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4%	Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9%
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, 13.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.0% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between cargo handler and truck unloader duties and responsibilities

Cargo handler example responsibilities.

Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
Scan and sort packages in hazmat.
Scan the cargo in using rf scanners
Utilize RF scanner system to transfer packages onto conveyor system or trailers.
Pick up packages and letters from FedEx delivery locations for processing and shipping.
Assist units in preparing documents, certifying vehicles, HAZMAT, and other cargo for air movement.

Truck unloader example responsibilities.

Used jigs, torches, jacks, wedges, tumbuckles, hoists, cranes, drift pins, pry bars.
Stock floor according to current store map, utilize RF scanner for inventory database.
Replenish stock on floor and back-stock material (using RF device to record location).
Secure newly organize pallets utilizing shrink wrap.
Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.

Cargo handler vs truck unloader skills

Common cargo handler skills

Pallets, 26%
Safety Policies, 16%
Quality Standards, 12%
Unload Trailers, 10%
FAA, 9%
Hub, 7%

Common truck unloader skills

Electric Pallet Jack, 24%
Pallets, 19%
Sales Floor, 16%
Customer Service, 9%
Stock Shelves, 8%
Stock Merchandise, 7%

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Transportation Industry
Cargo Handler
Cargo Handler vs Truck Unloader

Updated January 8, 2025

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