What does a freight handler do?
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.
Freight handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real freight handler resumes:
- Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
- Dock work then get CDL and then go to the road
- Work on the dock loading and unloading truck and backup CDL driver.
- Ship order via FedEx on a daily basis and perform an inventory and cycle count when need.
- Distribute break loads, freight and merchandise on inbound and outbound side of the LTL freight terminal.
- Job include handling all types of LTL freight with a forklift while unloading and loading trailers for delivery.
- Ensure all assign freight packages are sorted and appropriately distribute throughout the hub distribution center within applicable deadlines.
- Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.
Freight handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Freight Handlers are proficient in Basic Math, Pallets, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Hand-eye coordination, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Freight Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Basic Math, 28%
Verified product and quantity using basic math skills.
- Pallets, 21%
Unloaded Semi Trailers- Operated forklift machine- Separated products on pallets
- Math, 12%
Worked with excel spreadsheets to perform attrition for the stock room using math skills on a daily basis.
- Hazardous Materials, 10%
Handled hazardous materials and general commodities.
- Manual Equipment, 7%
Assisted in receiving material by removing from truck and using manual equipment such as hand truck or pallet jack.
- Hand Trucks, 3%
Used various equipment, such as rider electric pallet jacks, pallet jacks, hand trucks and forklifts.
Common skills that a freight handler uses to do their job include "basic math," "pallets," and "math." You can find details on the most important freight handler responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a freight handler to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Freight handlers often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "work in a positive and productive manner with capstone and the customer employees. "
Hand-eye coordination. Many freight handler duties rely on hand-eye coordination. "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions.," so a freight handler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways freight handler responsibilities rely on hand-eye coordination: "inventory control, shipping/receiving, quality control, customer service and coordination of issuing/distribution of supplies. "
Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of freight handlers is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday freight handler duties, as "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "listened to warning alarms and responded accordingly. "
Physical stamina. For certain freight handler responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of a freight handler rely on this skill, as "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what freight handlers do: "possess the necessary strength and stamina to load, unload and sort packages. "
Physical strength. Another crucial skill for a freight handler to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what freight handlers relies on this skill, since "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." How this skill relates to freight handler duties can be seen in an example from a freight handler resume snippet: "receive all company raw materials, machine parts and hazardous materials, physical verification and data entry ( sap ). "
The three companies that hire the most freight handlers are:
- FedEx372 freight handlers jobs
- Walmart144 freight handlers jobs
- R+L Carriers104 freight handlers jobs
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Compare different freight handlers
Freight handler vs. Lumper
Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes. Among the elements, they do include the preparation, loading, and unloading of items. They are also notable as material movers and hand laborers. Some movers drive a moving truck. However, they should not be burdened with any issue with a high value like jewelry and cash.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, freight handler responsibilities require skills like "basic math," "math," "hazardous materials," and "manual equipment." Meanwhile a typical lumper has skills in areas such as "safety standards," "truck loads," "purchase orders," and "assembly line." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Lumpers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $32,437. Comparatively, freight handlers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $38,846.The education levels that lumpers earn slightly differ from freight handlers. In particular, lumpers are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a freight handler. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Freight handler vs. Mover
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, freight handler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "basic math," "pallets," "math," and "hazardous materials." Meanwhile, a mover has duties that require skills in areas such as "office furniture," "household goods," "pallet jack," and "office equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Movers earn similar levels of education than freight handlers in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Freight handler vs. Dock worker
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from freight handler resumes include skills like "logistics," "forklifts," "customer service," and "sit," whereas a dock worker is more likely to list skills in "ltl," "dock equipment," "freight bills," and "safety policies. "
Dock workers make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $35,927. On the other hand, freight handlers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $38,846.dock workers typically earn similar educational levels compared to freight handlers. Specifically, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Freight handler vs. Loader/unloader
Even though a few skill sets overlap between freight handlers and loader/unloaders, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a freight handler might have more use for skills like "basic math," "math," "hazardous materials," and "manual equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of loader/unloaders require skills like "assembly line," "conveyor belts," "unload freight," and "manual pallet jack. "
Loader/unloaders enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $34,552. For comparison, freight handlers earn the highest salary in the transportation industry.In general, loader/unloaders hold similar degree levels compared to freight handlers. Loader/unloaders are 0.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of freight handler
Updated January 8, 2025
