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Loader/driver vs driver/material handler

The differences between loader/drivers and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a loader/driver and a driver/material handler. Additionally, a loader/driver has an average salary of $39,446, which is higher than the $36,219 average annual salary of a driver/material handler.

The top three skills for a loader/driver include CDL, safety equipment and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.

Loader/driver vs driver/material handler overview

Loader/DriverDriver/Material Handler
Yearly salary$39,446$36,219
Hourly rate$18.96$17.41
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs137,815198,718
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Loader/driver vs driver/material handler salary

Loader/drivers and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loader/DriverDriver/Material Handler
Average salary$39,446$36,219
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $59,000Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyBulkmatic TransportMerck
Best paying industryUtilitiesAutomotive

Differences between loader/driver and driver/material handler education

There are a few differences between a loader/driver and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:

Loader/DriverDriver/Material Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Loader/driver vs driver/material handler demographics

Here are the differences between loader/drivers' and driver/material handlers' demographics:

Loader/DriverDriver/Material Handler
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between loader/driver and driver/material handler duties and responsibilities

Loader/driver example responsibilities.

  • DOT certify to drive trucks.
  • Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and empty contents.
  • Deliver and run all parts of the DFW Metroplex, and love the work
  • Maintain a neat and clean work area, follow OSHA standards for safe material handling.
  • Deliver auto supplies Unload/loading supplies upon delivery used GPS
  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • Show more

Driver/material handler example responsibilities.

  • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
  • Load and unload LTL freight from inbound and outbound trailers.
  • Operate forklifts in transferring loading and unloading materials in LTL.
  • Pick and audit hazmat and international orders.
  • Handle emergency hazmat situations requiring quick decision making skills.
  • Stack and move pallets from different lines with different products documenting quantity and quality while participating in a team environment.
  • Show more

Loader/driver vs driver/material handler skills

Common loader/driver skills
  • CDL, 28%
  • Safety Equipment, 11%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • DOT, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Policies, 4%
Common driver/material handler skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • Customer Orders, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Pallets, 6%

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