Key grip vs loader/unloader

The differences between key grips and loader/unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a key grip has an average salary of $42,609, which is higher than the $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.

The top three skills for a key grip include gaffer, production equipment and music videos. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.

Key grip vs loader/unloader overview

	Key Grip	Loader/Unloader
Yearly salary	$42,609	$31,827
Hourly rate	$20.49	$15.30
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	9,300	67,063
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	High School Diploma, 63%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Key grip vs loader/unloader salary

Key grips and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Key Grip	Loader/Unloader
Average salary	$42,609	$31,827
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $80,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Tacoma, WA
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	Bunge
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between key grip and loader/unloader education

There are a few differences between a key grip and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:

	Key Grip	Loader/Unloader
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	High School Diploma, 63%
Most common major	Photography	Business
Most common college	-	-

Key grip vs loader/unloader demographics

Here are the differences between key grips' and loader/unloaders' demographics:

	Key Grip	Loader/Unloader
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 5.5% White, 50.3% 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%

Differences between key grip and loader/unloader duties and responsibilities

Key grip example responsibilities.

Work with the cinematographer to achieve the right look for the film in terms of lighting (ARRI, Kino).
Work on the UCLA student film as key grip and gaffer.
Implement the lighting setup design by the director of photography and gaffer.
Work with DP to create the aesthetic of the film using lighting.
Provide hands on assistance with jare Noe, a freelance video production specialist.
Support video production team by working as a grip requiring ability to set up shots, lighting, and audio.

Loader/unloader example responsibilities.

Check boxes for leaks or damages so they can be send to back to QA.
Provide QA and material damage reports.
Position also require the use of RF equipment.
Load shingles on roof tops during the summer time.
Roof LoaderLoading shingles and unloading other roofing materials onto roofs.
Stock groceries and freight, unload trucks, condition aisles.

Key grip vs loader/unloader skills

Common key grip skills

Gaffer, 29%
Production Equipment, 22%
Music Videos, 15%
DP, 8%
JIB, 6%
Arri, 6%

Common loader/unloader skills

Inventory Control, 27%
Electric Pallet Jack, 16%
Pallets, 13%
Tractor Trailer, 10%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Delivery Truck, 3%

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Transportation Industry
Key Grip
Key Grip vs Loader/Unloader

Updated January 8, 2025

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