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The differences between dock workers and material handler/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $36,027 average annual salary of a dock worker.
The top three skills for a dock worker include safety rules, tractor trailer and LTL. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Dock Worker | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,027 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $17.32 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 119,104 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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 material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Dock workers and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dock Worker | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,027 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $43,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coon Rapids, MN | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a dock worker and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Dock Worker | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dock workers' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Dock Worker | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |