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Load builder vs material handler

The differences between load builders and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler has an average salary of $33,215, which is higher than the $32,919 average annual salary of a load builder.

The top three skills for a load builder include pallets, customer vehicles and delivery vehicle. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.

Load builder vs material handler overview

Load BuilderMaterial Handler
Yearly salary$32,919$33,215
Hourly rate$15.83$15.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs63,066174,068
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a load builder do?

A load builder is tasked to provide an accessible and effective way of building a load of shipment and dispatching deliveries. They are responsible for focusing on the packages and shipment and ensures the quick selection of orders to have them delivered as quickly as possible. A load builder combines deliveries and inspects them before transferring to a larger shipment. Also, they are the one who finds and monitors unassigned orders to be able to track their receiver.

What does a material handler do?

Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.

Load builder vs material handler salary

Load builders and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Load BuilderMaterial Handler
Average salary$32,919$33,215
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Battelle
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between load builder and material handler education

There are a few differences between a load builder and a material handler in terms of educational background:

Load BuilderMaterial Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Load builder vs material handler demographics

Here are the differences between load builders' and material handlers' demographics:

Load BuilderMaterial Handler
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 89.2% Female, 10.8%Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.9% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between load builder and material handler duties and responsibilities

Load builder example responsibilities.

  • Modify existing client websites with new HTML and CSS to achieve stakeholder requirements.
  • Contribute in drafting and designing technical and advertising layout using AutoCAD and Photoshop.
  • receive online orders from Menards.com, gather items from order, prepare order for shipment

Material handler example responsibilities.

  • Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
  • Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
  • Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
  • Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
  • Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
  • Show more

Load builder vs material handler skills

Common load builder skills
  • Pallets, 40%
  • Customer Vehicles, 28%
  • Delivery Vehicle, 7%
  • Load Building, 7%
  • Hand Trucks, 7%
  • Basic Math, 4%
Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%

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