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The differences between dock workers and loader/unloaders 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 $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.
The top three skills for a dock worker include safety rules, tractor trailer and LTL. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.
| Dock Worker | Loader/Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $36,027 | $31,827 |
| Hourly rate | $17.32 | $15.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 119,104 | 67,063 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| 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.
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
Dock workers and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dock Worker | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average salary | $36,027 | $31,827 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coon Rapids, MN | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | Bunge |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a dock worker and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:
| Dock Worker | Loader/Unloader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dock workers' and loader/unloaders' demographics:
| Dock Worker | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 14.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |