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Dock loader vs rail loader

The differences between dock loaders and rail loaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rail loader has an average salary of $33,806, which is higher than the $33,639 average annual salary of a dock loader.

The top three skills for a dock loader include pallet jack, pallets and basic math. The most important skills for a rail loader are loaders, tie downs, and safety equipment.

Dock loader vs rail loader overview

Dock LoaderRail Loader
Yearly salary$33,639$33,806
Hourly rate$16.17$16.25
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs38,8562,844
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

Dock loader vs rail loader salary

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

Dock LoaderRail Loader
Average salary$33,639$33,806
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $38,000Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between dock loader and rail loader education

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

Dock LoaderRail Loader
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock loader vs rail loader demographics

Here are the differences between dock loaders' and rail loaders' demographics:

Dock LoaderRail Loader
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 93.8% Female, 6.2%Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between dock loader and rail loader 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.

Rail loader example responsibilities.

  • Upload empty and PVC load hopper cars as they come into plant for inventory.
  • Load Hyundai vehicles on trains for shipment
  • Rail loader and unloader of Nissan automobiles.
  • Splash guards/ installing splash guards for Nissan and Infiniti
  • Load Hyundai cars on the train and secure them for shipping.
  • Load empty railcars with specific grade PVC resin to pre-determine weights.
  • Show more

Dock loader vs rail loader skills

Common dock loader skills
  • Pallet Jack, 29%
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Cycle Counts, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Delivery Truck, 3%
Common rail loader skills
  • Loaders, 33%
  • Tie Downs, 23%
  • Safety Equipment, 13%
  • PPE, 9%
  • Load Rail Cars, 6%
  • Load Vehicles, 5%

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