Hazardous materials handler vs dock worker

The differences between hazardous materials handlers and dock workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock worker has an average salary of $36,027, which is higher than the $32,796 average annual salary of a hazardous materials handler.

The top three skills for a hazardous materials handler include hazardous waste, non hazardous materials and DOT. The most important skills for a dock worker are safety rules, tractor trailer, and LTL.

Hazardous materials handler vs dock worker overview

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Dock Worker
Yearly salary	$32,796	$36,027
Hourly rate	$15.77	$17.32
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	29,787	119,104
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Hazardous materials handler vs dock worker salary

Hazardous materials handlers and dock workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Dock Worker
Average salary	$32,796	$36,027
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Coon Rapids, MN
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between hazardous materials handler and dock worker education

There are a few differences between a hazardous materials handler and a dock worker in terms of educational background:

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Dock Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hazardous materials handler vs dock worker demographics

Here are the differences between hazardous materials handlers' and dock workers' demographics:

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Dock Worker
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 5.3% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between hazardous materials handler and dock worker duties and responsibilities

Hazardous materials handler example responsibilities.

Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
Assess HAZMAT training needs and ensure training for all HAZMAT representatives.
Establish and maintain procedures for receiving, handling, and shipping of HAZMAT.
Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
Thrive in this fast-pace environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina.

Dock worker example responsibilities.

Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
Print BOL for daily deliveries.
Use RF scanning system to select orders.
Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.

Hazardous materials handler vs dock worker skills

Common hazardous materials handler skills

Hazardous Waste, 16%
Non Hazardous Materials, 16%
DOT, 16%
Safety Procedures, 13%
Hazmat, 7%
Bucket Loaders, 4%

Common dock worker skills

Safety Rules, 12%
Tractor Trailer, 8%
LTL, 8%
Unload Trailers, 6%
Basic Math, 5%
Dock Equipment, 5%

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Hazardous Materials Handler
Hazardous Materials Handler vs Dock Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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