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The differences between material handler/forklift operators and can handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $32,465 average annual salary of a can handler.
The top three skills for a material handler/forklift operator include pallets, safety procedures and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a can handler are customer service, patients, and supply support.
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Can Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $36,453 | $32,465 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 168,379 | 76,003 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
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.
Material handler/forklift operators and can handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Can Handler | |
| Average salary | $36,453 | $32,465 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakeville, MN | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Nestlé | National Grid plc |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material handler/forklift operator and a can handler in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Can Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handler/forklift operators' and can handlers' demographics:
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Can Handler | |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 67.4% Female, 32.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 4% | 5% |