Hazardous materials handler vs package handler

The differences between hazardous materials handlers and package handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hazardous materials handler has an average salary of $32,796, which is higher than the $32,785 average annual salary of a package handler.

The top three skills for a hazardous materials handler include hazardous waste, non hazardous materials and DOT. The most important skills for a package handler are warehouse environment, load trailers, and delivery truck.

Hazardous materials handler vs package handler overview

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Package Handler
Yearly salary	$32,796	$32,785
Hourly rate	$15.77	$15.76
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	29,787	93,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Hazardous materials handler vs package handler salary

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

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Package Handler
Average salary	$32,796	$32,785
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	Saint Paul, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	ALDI USA
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between hazardous materials handler and package handler education

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

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Package Handler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hazardous materials handler vs package handler demographics

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

	Hazardous Materials Handler	Package Handler
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between hazardous materials handler and package handler 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.

Package handler example responsibilities.

Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
Read GPS maps for your driving directions.
Operate sit down forklift for loading, unloading and running material.
License to operate MHE (forklifts, tractors, etc . )
Load grind and air shipments onto designate trailers using sit down forklift.
Conduct post inspections to ensure guard force personnel proficiency and level of alertness.

Hazardous materials handler vs package handler skills

Common hazardous materials handler skills

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

Common package handler skills

Warehouse Environment, 25%
Load Trailers, 10%
Delivery Truck, 9%
Safety Procedures, 9%
Load Packages, 8%
Load Trucks, 7%

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Hazardous Materials Handler
Hazardous Materials Handler vs Package Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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