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Dock hand vs unloader

The differences between dock hands 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 $31,840 average annual salary of a dock hand.

The top three skills for a dock hand include boats, customer service and unload trailers. The most important skills for an unloader are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.

Dock hand vs unloader overview

Dock HandUnloader
Yearly salary$31,840$32,885
Hourly rate$15.31$15.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs63,91363,202
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Dock hand vs unloader salary

Dock hands and unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock HandUnloader
Average salary$31,840$32,885
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Meridian, ID
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between dock hand and unloader education

There are a few differences between a dock hand and an unloader in terms of educational background:

Dock HandUnloader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock hand vs unloader demographics

Here are the differences between dock hands' and unloaders' demographics:

Dock HandUnloader
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 85.8% Female, 14.2%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.5% White, 58.7% 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 Percentage5%5%

Differences between dock hand and unloader duties and responsibilities

Dock hand example responsibilities.

  • Used an RF to scan merchandise.
  • Operate forklift to cross load LTL trucks.
  • Perform soldering and de-soldering of through hole and SMT components.
  • Track and place individual pieces of LTL freight in a warehouse setting.
  • Use basic multimeter skills to verify the components that have been place at SMT.
  • Used RF scanner, and scanning all items picking and stocking, help customers need, and maintain work area cleanliness ,
  • Show more

Unloader example responsibilities.

  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.

Dock hand vs unloader skills

Common dock hand skills
  • Boats, 40%
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Unload Trailers, 11%
  • Load Trucks, 5%
  • RAN, 3%
  • General Maintenance, 3%
Common unloader skills
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Tractor Trailer, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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