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The differences between loaders and freight handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight handler has an average salary of $35,944, which is higher than the $32,820 average annual salary of a loader.
The top three skills for a loader include customer service, pallets and loaders. The most important skills for a freight handler are basic math, pallets, and math.
| Loader | Freight Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $32,820 | $35,944 |
| Hourly rate | $15.78 | $17.28 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 40,008 | 67,422 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The responsibilities of a loader will vary in an industry or organization. In a warehouse or retail setting, a loader is responsible for loading and unloading packages, ensuring the accuracy of all goods and invoices. Most of the tasks will involve physical work, and there are also instances when one needs to operate machines such as a forklift. Moreover, a loader must also keep records and monitor the inventory at all times and coordinate with supervisors, all in adherence to the company's policies and safety regulations.
A freight handler is responsible for monitoring the distribution and delivery of the freight, unloading and storing materials, and verifying the accurate information of the freight records. Freight handlers inspect the condition and quality of the goods and materials before loading into the distribution trucks for shipment. They also operate various warehouse tools and equipment to transport merchandise from the vehicle to different parts of the facility. A freight handler must be highly organized, especially in checking the correct tagging of items and conducting safety checks.
Loaders and freight handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loader | Freight Handler | |
| Average salary | $32,820 | $35,944 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kemps | R+L Carriers |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a loader and a freight handler in terms of educational background:
| Loader | Freight Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between loaders' and freight handlers' demographics:
| Loader | Freight Handler | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.4% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |