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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 representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • 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.

Some of the skills we found on freight handler resumes included "basic math," "pallets," and "math." We have detailed the most important freight handler responsibilities below.

  • Customer-service skills can be considered to be the most important personality trait for a freight handler to have. According to a freight handler resume, "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 are able to use customer-service skills in the following example we gathered from a resume: "work in a positive and productive manner with capstone and the customer employees. "
  • While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many freight handler duties rely on hand-eye coordination. This example from a freight handler explains why: "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." This resume example is just one of many ways freight handlers are able to utilize hand-eye coordination: "inventory control, shipping/receiving, quality control, customer service and coordination of issuing/distribution of supplies. "
  • Another skill that is quite popular among freight handlers is listening skills. This skill is very critical to fulfilling every day responsibilities as is shown in this example from a freight handler resume: "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. "
  • In order for certain freight handler responsibilities to be completed, the job requires the skill "physical stamina." According to a freight handler resume, "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." As an example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies: "possess the necessary strength and stamina to load, unload and sort packages. "
  • Yet another important skill that a freight handler must demonstrate is "physical strength." Some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects. This is clearly demonstrated in this example from a freight handler who stated: "receive all company raw materials, machine parts and hazardous materials, physical verification and data entry ( sap ). "
  • See the full list of freight handler skills.

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    What Lumpers Do

    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.

    In this section, we take a look at the annual salaries of other professions. Take lumper for example. On average, the lumpers annual salary is $6,293 lower than what freight handlers make on average every year.

    Even though freight handlers and lumpers have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require pallets, hand trucks, and tractor trailer in the day-to-day roles.

    There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, a 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 how truly different these two careers really are.

    Lumpers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $32,437. Whereas 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 is a bit different than that of 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.

    What Are The Duties Of a 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.

    Now we're going to look at the mover profession. On average, movers earn a $2,757 lower salary than freight handlers a year.

    While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both freight handlers and movers are known to have skills such as "hand trucks," "customer service," and "delivery vehicle. "

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, freight handler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "basic math," "pallets," "math," and "hazardous materials." Meanwhile, a mover might be skilled 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.

    On the topic of education, 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.

    How a Dock Worker Compares

    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.

    The third profession we take a look at is dock worker. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than freight handlers. In fact, they make a $83 higher salary per year.

    While looking through the resumes of several freight handlers and dock workers we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "basic math," "pallets," and "math," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from freight handler resumes include skills like "logistics," "forklifts," "customer service," and "sit," whereas a dock worker might be skilled 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. Whereas freight handlers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry with the average being $38,846.

    Dock workers are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to freight handlers. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of a Loader/Unloader

    Now, we'll look at loader/unloaders, who generally average a lower pay when compared to freight handlers annual salary. In fact, the difference is about $4,117 per year.

    According to resumes from both freight handlers and loader/unloaders, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "pallets," "hand trucks," and "tractor trailer. "

    Even though a few skill sets overlap, 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 loader/unloaders might include skills like "assembly line," "conveyor belts," "unload freight," and "manual pallet jack" on their resume.

    Loader/unloaders earn a higher salary in the transportation industry with an average of $34,552. Whereas, freight handlers earn the highest salary in the transportation industry.

    In general, loader/unloaders reach similar levels of education when compared to freight handlers resumes. Loader/unloaders are 0.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What a Freight Handler Does FAQs

    What Is A Freight Forwarding Company?

    A freight forwarding company is an organization that acts as the intermediary between the organization that makes a freight shipment and the final destination company where that shipment will ultimately end up.

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