Key grip vs package handler

The differences between key grips and package handlers 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 $32,785 average annual salary of a package handler.

The top three skills for a key grip include gaffer, production equipment and music videos. The most important skills for a package handler are warehouse environment, load trailers, and delivery truck.

Key grip vs package handler overview

	Key Grip	Package Handler
Yearly salary	$42,609	$32,785
Hourly rate	$20.49	$15.76
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	9,300	93,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Key grip vs package handler salary

Key grips and package handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Key Grip	Package Handler
Average salary	$42,609	$32,785
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $80,000	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 key grip and package handler education

There are a few differences between a key grip and a package handler in terms of educational background:

	Key Grip	Package Handler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Photography	Business
Most common college	-	-

Key grip vs package handler demographics

Here are the differences between key grips' and package handlers' demographics:

	Key Grip	Package Handler
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%	Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
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, 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 key grip and package handler 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.

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.

Key grip vs package handler skills

Common key grip skills

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

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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Transportation Industry
Key Grip
Key Grip vs Package Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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