Post job

Freight associate vs loader/unloader

The differences between freight associates and loader/unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight associate has an average salary of $32,103, which is higher than the $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.

The top three skills for a freight associate include sales floor, cleanliness and customer service. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.

Freight associate vs loader/unloader overview

Freight AssociateLoader/Unloader
Yearly salary$32,103$31,827
Hourly rate$15.43$15.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs6,47767,063
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 63%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a freight associate do?

The typical tasks of a freight associate include stocking merchandise on shelves, organizing the sales floor, and providing excellent customer service. Freight associates load and unload trucks and transfer the items from the receiving area to the store. Some of them may operate heavy equipment like forklifts. They may work on the critical functions of equipment for proper maintenance. Also, they maintain the cleanliness of the sales floor and the work area on a regular basis.

What does a loader/unloader do?

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.

Freight associate vs loader/unloader salary

Freight associates and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Freight AssociateLoader/Unloader
Average salary$32,103$31,827
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City-Tacoma, WA
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Bunge
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between freight associate and loader/unloader education

There are a few differences between a freight associate and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:

Freight AssociateLoader/Unloader
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Freight associate vs loader/unloader demographics

Here are the differences between freight associates' and loader/unloaders' demographics:

Freight AssociateLoader/Unloader
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 75.0% Female, 25.0%Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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 Percentage5%5%

Differences between freight associate and loader/unloader duties and responsibilities

Freight associate example responsibilities.

  • Operate a wide variety of lift equipment.
  • Work at the MSP airport sorting and loading air containers to assure proper delivery.
  • Job duties include receiving and unloading freight, pulling pallets to the floor after separating.
  • Specialize in use of RF equipment to determine sign needs by fixture for particular ad events.
  • Stack empty CHEP pallets in racks and regular pallets on dock floor at end of shift.
  • Perform inventory duties with the RF hand scanner, which include research, outs, and rigs.
  • Show more

Loader/unloader example responsibilities.

  • Check boxes for leaks or damages so they can be send to back to QA.
  • Provide QA and material damage reports.
  • Position also require the use of RF equipment.
  • Load shingles on roof tops during the summer time.
  • Roof LoaderLoading shingles and unloading other roofing materials onto roofs.
  • Stock groceries and freight, unload trucks, condition aisles.
  • Show more

Freight associate vs loader/unloader skills

Common freight associate skills
  • Sales Floor, 42%
  • Cleanliness, 42%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Sort Merchandise, 3%
  • Store Merchandise, 2%
  • Math, 1%
Common loader/unloader skills
  • Inventory Control, 27%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 16%
  • Pallets, 13%
  • Tractor Trailer, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Delivery Truck, 3%

Browse transportation jobs