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The differences between loader/unloaders and can handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a can handler has an average salary of $32,465, which is higher than the $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.
The top three skills for a loader/unloader include inventory control, electric pallet jack and pallets. The most important skills for a can handler are customer service, patients, and supply support.
| Loader/Unloader | Can Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $31,827 | $32,465 |
| Hourly rate | $15.30 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 67,063 | 76,003 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 63% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
Can handlers or material handlers have various duties and responsibilities within an organization. These include maintaining production and product distribution, staging finished products, and delivering production supplies and materials. Other responsibilities include maintaining inventory, documenting supplies and materials disposition, and receiving supplies and materials from production. They receive credit-return materials by verifying the code, quantity, and lot number. Can handlers also prepare products for shipment, maintain material-handling equipment, and contribute to teamwork and effort. The skills and qualifications needed for this position include organizational skills, inventory control, and data entry skills.
Loader/unloaders and can handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loader/Unloader | Can Handler | |
| Average salary | $31,827 | $32,465 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $38,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Bunge | National Grid plc |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a loader/unloader and a can handler in terms of educational background:
| Loader/Unloader | Can Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 63% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between loader/unloaders' and can handlers' demographics:
| Loader/Unloader | Can Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 67.4% Female, 32.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |