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Distribution technician vs warehouse worker

The differences between distribution technicians and warehouse workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a distribution technician has an average salary of $33,564, which is higher than the $33,010 average annual salary of a warehouse worker.

The top three skills for a distribution technician include patients, computer system and data entry. The most important skills for a warehouse worker are pallets, customer service, and basic math.

Distribution technician vs warehouse worker overview

Distribution TechnicianWarehouse Worker
Yearly salary$33,564$33,010
Hourly rate$16.14$15.87
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs154,925255,502
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a distribution technician do?

A distribution technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.

What does a warehouse worker do?

Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.

Distribution technician vs warehouse worker salary

Distribution technicians and warehouse workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Distribution TechnicianWarehouse Worker
Average salary$33,564$33,010
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $41,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityVallejo, CAIndianapolis, IN
Highest paying stateHawaiiIndiana
Best paying companyBrigham and Women's HospitalUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryUtilitiesManufacturing

Differences between distribution technician and warehouse worker education

There are a few differences between a distribution technician and a warehouse worker in terms of educational background:

Distribution TechnicianWarehouse Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Distribution technician vs warehouse worker demographics

Here are the differences between distribution technicians' and warehouse workers' demographics:

Distribution TechnicianWarehouse Worker
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 70.8% Female, 29.2%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between distribution technician and warehouse worker duties and responsibilities

Distribution technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of verifying incoming items and outgoing customer material release orders (MRO )
  • Manage and monitor KPI's, departmental metrics and ensure all checks and balances are in place.
  • Purchase raw materials in order to support manufacturing per MRP requirements.
  • Ensure office are neat, orderly and secure to meet FDA standards.
  • Utilize troubleshooting and problem-solving skills resolving conflicts/issues in item master and BOM data.
  • Load and unload trailers using RF scanner to ensure order/weight distribution accurate to customer order.
  • Show more

Warehouse worker example responsibilities.

  • Ensure cleanliness and functionality of warehouse equipment on a regular basis.
  • Drive CDL box trucks and vans.
  • Experience in WMS, AS400, and RF technologies.
  • Load and unload metal plumbing, heating and HVAC inventory from semi-trucks.
  • Set up equipment and instructs patients on the basis use of equipment.
  • Perform job duties such as full-case, repack, replenishment, and recycling.
  • Show more

Distribution technician vs warehouse worker skills

Common distribution technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Equipment, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%
Common warehouse worker skills
  • Pallets, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Customer Orders, 6%
  • Math, 5%

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