How to hire a driver/material handler

How to hire a driver/material handler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step driver/material handler hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a driver/material handler job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new driver/material handler
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a driver/material handler do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the driver/material handler you need to hire. Certain driver/material handler roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A driver/material handler's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, driver/material handlers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of driver/material handlers.

   Type of Driver/Material Handler	Description	Hourly rate
   Driver/Material Handler	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$13-21
   Warehouse Labour	Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution... Show more	$12-18
   Cherry Picker Operator	Cherry pickers perform a safe and efficient operation of motorized lift vehicles in pulling customer order-based products. The cherry pickers manage different warehouse operating systems and associates to support processing and internal order logistics... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Customer Orders
   • Inventory Control
   • Customer Service
   • Safety Rules
   • Pallets
   • Safety Procedures
   • OSHA
   • RF Scanner
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Load Trucks
   • Safety Regulations
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Straight Truck

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
   • Load and unload LTL freight from inbound and outbound trailers.
   • Operate forklifts in transferring loading and unloading materials in LTL.
   • Pick and audit hazmat and international orders.
   • Handle emergency hazmat situations requiring quick decision making skills.
   • Stack and move pallets from different lines with different products documenting quantity and quality while participating in a team environment.

   More driver/material handler duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your driver/material handler job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A driver/material handler salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, driver/material handlers' average salary in vermont is 31% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level driver/material handlers earn 38% less than senior-level driver/material handlers.
   • Certifications. A driver/material handler with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a driver/material handler's salary.

   Average driver/material handler salary

   $36,219yearly

   $17.41 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level driver/material handler salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average driver/material handler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$42,597	$20
   2	Utah	$42,401	$20
   3	Washington	$40,990	$20
   4	Arizona	$40,743	$20
   5	Massachusetts	$40,680	$20
   6	Colorado	$38,780	$19
   7	Nebraska	$38,546	$19
   8	Oklahoma	$37,600	$18
   9	Wisconsin	$37,522	$18
   10	Texas	$36,985	$18
   11	Illinois	$36,656	$18
   12	Kansas	$36,427	$18
   13	Maryland	$36,294	$17
   14	Louisiana	$35,855	$17
   15	Michigan	$35,461	$17
   16	Missouri	$35,023	$17
   17	Ohio	$34,233	$16
   18	Florida	$34,205	$16
   19	Alabama	$34,173	$16
   20	Tennessee	$33,865	$16

   Average driver/material handler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Merck	$41,652	$20.02	2
   2	FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA	$40,183	$19.32	16
   3	Clean Harbors	$39,953	$19.21	70
   4	Northwest Center	$39,951	$19.21	4
   5	Siemens	$39,497	$18.99	7
   6	FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies	$39,148	$18.82	5
   7	B&W Quality Growers	$39,066	$18.78
   8	Corsair	$38,523	$18.52
   9	Basalite Concrete Products	$38,134	$18.33
   10	Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co	$38,058	$18.30	7
   11	AO Architects	$37,875	$18.21	2
   12	Hearthside Food Solutions	$37,867	$18.21
   13	Sonoco	$37,769	$18.16	13
   14	Organogenesis	$37,718	$18.13	1
   15	Foxwoods Resort Casino	$37,600	$18.08
   16	Fresenius Medical Care North America Holdings Limited Partnership	$37,572	$18.06	1
   17	International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.	$37,522	$18.04
   18	Amcor	$37,419	$17.99	63
   19	Baxter International	$37,327	$17.95	6
   20	Clyde Companies	$37,290	$17.93

4. Writing a driver/material handler job description

   A driver/material handler job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a driver/material handler job description:

   Driver/material handler job description example

   Are you a team player who's comfortable on a forklift? If so, apply for a role with U-Haul as a Material Handler! In this position you will help to support the production line, and moving materials to ensure maximum efficiency. In exchange, take advantage of U-Haul's excellent benefits.
   Hours (subject to change according to needs of ongoing projects):
   1st Shift 6PM-2PM, Monday-Friday
   
   U-Haul offers Material Handlers:
   Career stability Opportunities for advancement Health insurance & Prescription plans if eligible Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days if eligible Life insurance MetLaw Legal program MetLife auto and home insurance Discounts on Apple products, Dell computers, cell phone plans, hotels, and more 401k and Employee Stock Ownership Plan 24-hour physician available for kids Dental & Vision Plans Subsidized gym/fitness membership if eligible Business and travel insurance YouMatter EAP LifeLock Identity Theft Protection Critical Illness/Group Accident Insurance
   
   Material Handler Primary Responsibilities:
   Operate a sit-down forklift to handle and move materials Safely and efficiently handle materials received, stored, and shipped through the assembly plant Keep workstations loaded with production materials Operate material handling equipment (e.g. hand truck, pallet jack etc.). Understand, support, and implement the company Housekeeping, Safety and Quality policies and procedures into daily work habits Other duties as assigned
   
   Material Handler Minimum Qualifications:
   Regular attendance essential Able to pass drug screen and background check Sit-down forklift experience Prior forklift certification or ability to pass company forklift test Able to communicate well in English Proficiency with computers Able to pass print reading, measurement and fraction/decimal conversion tests
   
   Work Environment:
   The work involves moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g. working around moving parts, machines, fumes, or irritant chemicals. May be required to use protective clothing, or gear such as masks, goggles, gloves, or shields.
   
   Physical Demands:
   The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods both indoors and outdoors of remaining stationary, traversing spaces, repositioning to reach and use tools, and moving a minimum of 50 lbs assisted or unassisted.
   
   AMERCO and its family of companies, including U-Haul, have strived to create a culture of health and wellness. As of February 1, 2020, and consistent with applicable state law, no AMERCO or U-Haul company will hire individuals in states where it may lawfully decline to hire individuals who use nicotine products. This policy will not apply to team members hired before February 1, 2020.
   
   U-Haul is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, provincial, state or local law. Individual accommodations are available on requests for applicants taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Information obtained during this process will only be shared on a need to know basis.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right driver/material handler for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with driver/material handlers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit driver/material handlers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your driver/material handler job on Zippia to find and recruit driver/material handler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit driver/material handlers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new driver/material handler

   Once you've decided on a perfect driver/material handler candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new driver/material handler. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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