Distributor operator vs driver/material handler

The differences between distributor operators and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a distributor operator and a driver/material handler. Additionally, a distributor operator has an average salary of $37,262, which is higher than the $36,219 average annual salary of a driver/material handler.

The top three skills for a distributor operator include asphalt, CDL and DOT. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.

Distributor operator vs driver/material handler overview

	Distributor Operator	Driver/Material Handler
Yearly salary	$37,262	$36,219
Hourly rate	$17.91	$17.41
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	44,648	198,718
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

What does a distributor operator do?

There are skills that distributor operators should have to be effective in the job. Some of the most common skills to be able to accomplish the responsibilities needed for the position include CDL (Commercial Drivers License), DoT (Damage over Time), and of course, past experience of being a distributor operator. For jobs like this, it would be better to search by industry instead of through keyword. This helps you to see a wider range of jobs related to being a distributor operator.

What does a driver/material handler do?

Primarily, driver/material handlers help maintain the production and distribution of products through inventory pullout, production materials, and supplies delivery, and finished product staging. Material handlers manage the transport of equipment or ammunition and conduct the planning and execution functions for effective grind force training. They pick and audit hazmat materials and deliver them to their customers. Also, they develop and expedite clear and effective communication with their customers.

Distributor operator vs driver/material handler salary

Distributor operators and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Distributor Operator	Driver/Material Handler
Average salary	$37,262	$36,219
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $44,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Winchester, VA	Santa Clara, CA
Highest paying state	Colorado	Hawaii
Best paying company	BlackRock	Merck
Best paying industry	Utilities	Automotive

Differences between distributor operator and driver/material handler education

There are a few differences between a distributor operator and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:

	Distributor Operator	Driver/Material Handler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Distributor operator vs driver/material handler demographics

Here are the differences between distributor operators' and driver/material handlers' demographics:

	Distributor Operator	Driver/Material Handler
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9%	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 17.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between distributor operator and driver/material handler duties and responsibilities

Distributor operator example responsibilities.

Unload chemicals from chemicals trucks while wearing proper PPE.
Work around asphalt pavers shoveling operating various equipment to include roller and road broom.
Experience directing high performing logistics teams to plan, process, and deliver accurate and time-critical complex materials orders.
Participate in after hours on-call rotation for customer service emergency leaks, turn on/ turn off, and SCADA system alarms.
Maintain OSHA forklift certification requiring completing monthly/annual testing.
Coordinate storage and distribution of hazardous waste following HAZMAT procedures.

Driver/material handler example responsibilities.

Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
Load and unload LTL freight from inbound and outbound trailers.
Operate forklifts in transferring loading and unloading materials in LTL.
Pick and audit hazmat and international orders.
Handle emergency hazmat situations requiring quick decision making skills.
Stack and move pallets from different lines with different products documenting quantity and quality while participating in a team environment.

Distributor operator vs driver/material handler skills

Common distributor operator skills

Asphalt, 17%
CDL, 16%
DOT, 8%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Pallets, 5%

Common driver/material handler skills

CDL, 21%
Customer Orders, 11%
Inventory Control, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Safety Rules, 7%
Pallets, 6%

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Transportation Industry
Distributor Operator
Distributor Operator vs Driver/Material Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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