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Dock worker vs warehouse worker

The differences between dock workers and warehouse workers 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 $33,010 average annual salary of a warehouse worker.

The top three skills for a dock worker include safety rules, tractor trailer and LTL. The most important skills for a warehouse worker are pallets, customer service, and basic math.

Dock worker vs warehouse worker overview

Dock WorkerWarehouse Worker
Yearly salary$36,027$33,010
Hourly rate$17.32$15.87
Growth rate6%1%
Number of jobs119,104255,502
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4038
Years of experience--

What does a dock worker do?

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.

What does a warehouse worker do?

Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.

Dock worker vs warehouse worker salary

Dock workers and warehouse workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock WorkerWarehouse Worker
Average salary$36,027$33,010
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $43,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityCoon Rapids, MNIndianapolis, IN
Highest paying stateAlaskaIndiana
Best paying companyDairy Farmers of AmericaUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between dock worker and warehouse worker education

There are a few differences between a dock worker and a warehouse worker in terms of educational background:

Dock WorkerWarehouse Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock worker vs warehouse worker demographics

Here are the differences between dock workers' and warehouse workers' demographics:

Dock WorkerWarehouse Worker
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage5%6%

Differences between dock worker and warehouse worker duties and responsibilities

Dock worker example responsibilities.

  • Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
  • Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
  • Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
  • Print BOL for daily deliveries.
  • Use RF scanning system to select orders.
  • Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
  • Show more

Warehouse worker example responsibilities.

  • Ensure cleanliness and functionality of warehouse equipment on a regular basis.
  • Drive CDL box trucks and vans.
  • Experience in WMS, AS400, and RF technologies.
  • Load and unload metal plumbing, heating and HVAC inventory from semi-trucks.
  • Set up equipment and instructs patients on the basis use of equipment.
  • Perform job duties such as full-case, repack, replenishment, and recycling.
  • Show more

Dock worker vs warehouse worker skills

Common dock worker skills
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Tractor Trailer, 8%
  • LTL, 8%
  • Unload Trailers, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Dock Equipment, 5%
Common warehouse worker skills
  • Pallets, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Customer Orders, 6%
  • Math, 5%

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