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Loading dock hand vs unloader

The differences between loading dock hands and unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an unloader has an average salary of $32,885, which is higher than the $30,478 average annual salary of a loading dock hand.

The top three skills for a loading dock hand include pallet jack, load trailers and dishwashers. The most important skills for an unloader are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.

Loading dock hand vs unloader overview

Loading Dock HandUnloader
Yearly salary$30,478$32,885
Hourly rate$14.65$15.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs5,90163,202
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Loading dock hand vs unloader salary

Loading dock hands and unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loading Dock HandUnloader
Average salary$30,478$32,885
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $35,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Meridian, ID
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between loading dock hand and unloader education

There are a few differences between a loading dock hand and an unloader in terms of educational background:

Loading Dock HandUnloader
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Loading dock hand vs unloader demographics

Here are the differences between loading dock hands' and unloaders' demographics:

Loading Dock HandUnloader
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 5.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between loading dock hand and unloader duties and responsibilities

Loading dock hand example responsibilities.

  • Load orders into trailers for shipment; coordinate cross-dock operations and load consolidations.
  • Operate WMS shipping system efficiently and accurately.

Unloader example responsibilities.

  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.

Loading dock hand vs unloader skills

Common loading dock hand skills
  • Pallet Jack, 32%
  • Load Trailers, 20%
  • Dishwashers, 10%
  • RF, 6%
  • Assembly Line, 4%
  • Water Truck, 4%
Common unloader skills
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Tractor Trailer, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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