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Dock loader vs material handler

The differences between dock loaders and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock loader has an average salary of $33,639, which is higher than the $33,215 average annual salary of a material handler.

The top three skills for a dock loader include pallet jack, pallets and basic math. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.

Dock loader vs material handler overview

Dock LoaderMaterial Handler
Yearly salary$33,639$33,215
Hourly rate$16.17$15.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs38,856174,068
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4140
Years of experience--

Dock loader vs material handler salary

Dock loaders and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock LoaderMaterial Handler
Average salary$33,639$33,215
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Battelle
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between dock loader and material handler education

There are a few differences between a dock loader and a material handler in terms of educational background:

Dock LoaderMaterial Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock loader vs material handler demographics

Here are the differences between dock loaders' and material handlers' demographics:

Dock LoaderMaterial Handler
Average age4140
Gender ratioMale, 93.8% Female, 6.2%Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 4.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage3%5%

Differences between dock loader and material handler duties and responsibilities

Dock loader example responsibilities.

  • Receive and organize shipments and place pallets in designate warehouse areas.
  • Load orders into trailers for shipment; coordinate cross-dock operations and load consolidations.
  • Mow lawn, run errands, advise customers, and assist in loading and unloading the boats.

Material handler example responsibilities.

  • Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
  • Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
  • Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
  • Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
  • Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
  • Show more

Dock loader vs material handler skills

Common dock loader skills
  • Pallet Jack, 29%
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Cycle Counts, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Delivery Truck, 3%
Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%

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