Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between freight handlers and loader/unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight handler has an average salary of $35,944, which is higher than the $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.
The top three skills for a freight handler include basic math, pallets and math. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.
| Freight Handler | Loader/Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $35,944 | $31,827 |
| Hourly rate | $17.28 | $15.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 67,422 | 67,063 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A freight handler is responsible for monitoring the distribution and delivery of the freight, unloading and storing materials, and verifying the accurate information of the freight records. Freight handlers inspect the condition and quality of the goods and materials before loading into the distribution trucks for shipment. They also operate various warehouse tools and equipment to transport merchandise from the vehicle to different parts of the facility. A freight handler must be highly organized, especially in checking the correct tagging of items and conducting safety checks.
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 handlers and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Freight Handler | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average salary | $35,944 | $31,827 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Billerica, MA | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | R+L Carriers | Bunge |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a freight handler and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:
| Freight Handler | 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 freight handlers' and loader/unloaders' demographics:
| Freight Handler | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 55.0% 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% |