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The differences between dock workers and can handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock worker has an average salary of $36,027, which is higher than the $32,465 average annual salary of a can handler.
The top three skills for a dock worker include safety rules, tractor trailer and LTL. The most important skills for a can handler are customer service, patients, and supply support.
| Dock Worker | Can Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $36,027 | $32,465 |
| Hourly rate | $17.32 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 119,104 | 76,003 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
Can handlers or material handlers have various duties and responsibilities within an organization. These include maintaining production and product distribution, staging finished products, and delivering production supplies and materials. Other responsibilities include maintaining inventory, documenting supplies and materials disposition, and receiving supplies and materials from production. They receive credit-return materials by verifying the code, quantity, and lot number. Can handlers also prepare products for shipment, maintain material-handling equipment, and contribute to teamwork and effort. The skills and qualifications needed for this position include organizational skills, inventory control, and data entry skills.
Dock workers and can handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dock Worker | Can Handler | |
| Average salary | $36,027 | $32,465 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coon Rapids, MN | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | National Grid plc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a dock worker and a can handler in terms of educational background:
| Dock Worker | Can Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dock workers' and can handlers' demographics:
| Dock Worker | Can Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 67.4% Female, 32.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |