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The differences between cargo handlers and unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an unloader has an average salary of $32,885, 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 an unloader are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.
| Cargo Handler | Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $32,044 | $32,885 |
| Hourly rate | $15.41 | $15.81 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 59,142 | 63,202 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| 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.
An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.
Cargo handlers and unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cargo Handler | Unloader | |
| Average salary | $32,044 | $32,885 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Meridian, ID |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Worldwide Flight Services Inc | Land O'Lakes |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a cargo handler and an unloader in terms of educational background:
| Cargo Handler | Unloader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and unloaders' demographics:
| Cargo Handler | Unloader | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| 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, 14.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |