Material Handler Overview
Material Handler Careers
Material handlers, well, they handle materials. But you probably already knew that. Generally, the handling portion extends to moving, shelving, loading and unloading said materials. The materials can vary depending on what industry you're working in.
Materials aren't just shipped on a 9-5 schedule. The materials will arrive at any time of the day or night. So you may need to be prepared to work some overnight shifts. As a material handler, the only requirement to the job is being able to physically perform your job duties. So as long as you can do that, you won't have any problems handling material.
What Does a Material Handler Do
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to or from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.
How To Become a Material Handler
Formal education is not usually required to become a hand laborer or material mover. Employers typically require only that applicants be physically able to perform the work.
EducationThere are no formal education requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover.
TrainingMost positions for hand laborers and material movers require less than 1 month of on-the-job training. Some workers need only a few days of training, and most training is done by a supervisor or a more experienced worker who decides when trainees are ready to work on their own.
Workers learn safety rules as part of their training. Many of these rules are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsRefuse and recyclable material collectors who drive trucks that exceed a certain capacity—such as vehicles with the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo exceeding 26,000 pounds—must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Obtaining a CDL requires passing written, skill, and vision tests.
Important QualitiesCustomer-service skills. Hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or car wash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers.
Hand–eye coordination. Most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions.
Listening skills. Hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them.
Physical stamina. Hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day.
Physical strength. Some workers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects.
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Material Handler Career Paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of driver you might progress to a role such as technician eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title operations manager.
Material Handler Jobs You Might Like
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Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the rights job to get there.
Average Salary for a Material Handler
Best Paying Cities For Material Handlers
Recently Added Salaries
Company  | Company | Start Date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
Pentair Material Handler | Pentair | 08/31/2021 | $40,69708/31/2021 |
Adecco Charlotte NC 7Amshift Material Handler | Adecco | 08/31/2021 | $20,87008/31/2021 |
Adecco Memphis, TN Material Handler | Adecco | 08/31/2021 | $29,21808/31/2021 |
Alfa Laval Material Handler 1St. Shift | Alfa Laval | 08/31/2021 | $31,30508/31/2021 |
Tradesmen International Material Handler | Tradesmen International | 08/31/2021 | $31,30508/31/2021 |
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Material Handler Resumes
Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming a Material Handler. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
Brittany Warren Material Handler |
Kenneth Patterson Material Handler  Newark, NJ  (260) 555-7063  kpatterson@example.com Experience Material Handler2016 - Present FedEx•Newark, NJ
Second Floor Operator2015 - 2016 The Home Depot•New York, NY
Forklift Operator And Receiver2008 - 2015 The Home Depot•New York, NY
Skills Different PartsForkliftsAssembly LineCompany PoliciesSafety ProceduresQuality ChecksDoffUnload TrucksMachine OperatorsFork-Lift Education High School Diploma In null2008 - 2008 |
Ann Brown Material Handler  Material Handler2019 - Present Lumber LiquidatorsChester, VA
Warehouse Associate2018 - 2019 AmazonChester, VA
Warehouse Worker2017 - 2018 Integrity Staffing SolutionsChester, VA
 High School Diploma In null2017 - 2017 |
Contact Information  Chester, VA (240) 555-1819 abrown@example.comSkills Customer Orders Company Standards Hand Trucks Quality Checks Machine Operators Assembly Line Warehouse Material Handler Inventory Computations Communication Quality Standards |
Brian Rivera Material Handler  Seattle, WA  (730) 555-6196  brivera@example.com Skills Pallet JackComponent PartsFood ProductsSafety ProceduresHazardous MaterialsCustomer VehiclesKrogerStack ProductFront EndForklifts |
Employment History Material Handler2017 - Present Goodwill Industries•Seattle, WA
Stacker2016 - 2017 Safeway•Seattle, WA
Bagger (Part-Time)2016 - 2016 Safeway•Seattle, WA
Education Some College Courses of Communication2016 - 2016 University of Washington•Seattle, WA |
- Served as a UPS & FED-EX warehouse person with the use of an RF Scanner
- Assembled and installed equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- Cashed requisitions, data input, completed parts lists, handled, packaged and shipped materials including raw materials.
- verified invoices with purchase orders to ensure accuracy -researched invoices to recover lost inventory, pick and pack merchandise
- Set up the assembly line with all the necessary materials needed by the assemblers in a fast pace blanket factory.
- Operated manual hand tools, including feeler, shims templates, bolts, clamps and wrenches for prooductionwork
- Use fork lift to unload and stage different types of containers from tractor trailers in fast safe manner.
- Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean work environment.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of deli counter.
- Assisted in stocking store shelves.
- Achieved customer service goals every quarter.
- Different Parts
- Hand Trucks
- Display Cases
- Patience
- Pallet Jack
- Proper Place
- Moves Materials
- Warehouse Material Handler
- Machine Parts
- Communication
- Inspected, assembled, and shipped hazardous materials Loaded and unloaded trucks and aircraft Operated forklift machine for heavy freight
- Load packages neatly and correctly onto up to five different trucks.
- Perform tasks to maximize productivity and customer satisfaction Provide aircraft ground handling services for FedEx & U.S.
- Load and unload packages on and off trucks and shrink wrap pallets.
- Unload trucks using forklift Match upc numbers with right paperwork
- Operated a fork lift, pallet jack and tug train to transport packages within the warehouse.
- Worked in a diverse team environment to manually unload trucks as quickly an safely as possible
- Scan Packages Load and unload Trucks Unload and load containers on airplanes
- Assist with the offload and unloading of tractor trailers as needed.
- Scanned and Sort Packages With Use of an RF Gun
- Unloaded freight using company safety procedures for proper processing and delivery.
- Drive forklifts and use electric pallet jacks.
- Follow all building safety procedures.
- Provided all related customer service functions and sourced new leads.
- Handle hazardous materials from the United States and international locations.
- Load and unload packages on and off trucks and shrink wrap pallets.
- Identify any problems such as damaged packaging, damaged contents,problems with hazardous materials, etc.
- Field information away, input data inside the computer system
- Ship customer orders with critical time restraints.
- Delivered packages, operated company vehicle's and used a rabbit/handheld.
- Improved warehouse environment through direct communication with supervisors about strategically implemented plans.
- Forklifts
- Company Policies
- Different Parts
- RF
- Sales Floor
- Hand Tools
- Stock Shelves
- Involves Continual
- Hazardous Materials
- Outgoing Orders
- Moved merchandise using hand, roller jack, pallet jack, dolly, and hand truck.
- Worked on the assembly line, operated a pallet jack, and operated a forklift.
- Received customer orders via scanner Picked appropriate product Placed product on packing line
- Adhere to strict safety, quality, and production standards while packing orders Select and handle orders.
- Receive products using RF (Radio Frequency) scanners.
- Train new employees and orientate them with safety procedures.
- Operated several different types of spot welders on production with other workers.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Measured and cut aluminum to create doors for businesses as the lead saw operator.
- Grind welds smooth on custom chassis rails for custom street rods.
- Unload Trucks
- Outgoing Orders
- Storage Areas
- Warehouse Environment
- Car Parts
- PVC
- Ensure Conformance
- Company Standards
- Osha
- Customer Orders
- Scan and sort packages, load packages into trucks
- Sorted freight at the second largest FedEx hub in the nation while finishing college.
- Load and unload trucks at fast rate, keep work area clean.
- Load and unload trucks safely and efficiently
- Scan Packages Load and unload Trucks Unload and load containers on airplanes
- Read, scan, and load packages efficiently Properly handling heavy packages, rollers, and conveyer belts.
- Load packages of 20+ lbs into designated trucks using safe working methods and package handling.
- Load packages into UPS trucks in a warehouse so they can then be delivered to the appropriate address.
- Maintained logbooks and adhered to all DOT HazMat paperwork
- Performed routine task involved in the shipping of material in a warehouse environment.
- Performed freight handling using motorized and manual equipment, including forklift, pallet jacks, and hand trucks.
- Rigged and dismantled props and equipment such as frames, scaffolding, platforms and backdrops, using hand tools.
- Unload trucks, put up stock, use forklift and handtrucks.
- Unload truck Sort boxes into appropriate departments Stocked shelfs
- Use a high rise lift and use a rf scan gun to scan packages for either put away storage or order picking
- Used the 8 keys to properly lift and load packages and the 5 keys to work in a safe work environment.
- Operated Electric pallet jack.Scanned, inventoried and organized merchandise.
- Read rf scanner and basic window office.
- Load all merchandise on trucks according to weights to be delivered to the stores also using RF scanners
- Operate a pallet jack to move pallets and physically unload individual boxes.
- Packaged inventory for shipment on an assembly line, printed labels, made boxes, and pulled orders.
- Provided customer service, designed merchandise displays, stocked merchandise
- Operate pallet jacks, build overstock pallets, and use scanning system to locate merchandise.
- Stock shelves and rotate the products.
- Provided strong, friendly customer service.
- Job Sites
- Ascertain Materials
- Store Shelves
- Load Packages
- Different Parts
- Package Orders
- Verbal Instructions
- Defective Products
- Sales Floor
- Fedex
- cap team 2) Unloaded general merchandise and grocery delivery trucks.
- Unload Truck Bring merchandise to sales floor Clean up receiving area at end of shift
- Receive, stock, and organize merchandise according to company procedures Provide customer service by acknowledging customer needs and concerns.
- Unload truck shipment and stock.
- Processed incoming freight for staff to prepare for sales floor.
- Set up merchandise pallets for easy transportation to sales floor.
- Provide prompt, friendly customer service.
- Unloaded all truck merchandise in a fast pace environment Pulled all store material to the sales floor upon request.
- Grind welds, bevel edges of pipe, finish grinding, smooth out imperfections, fill out paperwork and clean up.
- Grinded metal springs to blueprint specifications using test equipment and precision measuring tools.
- Cut aluminum bars to blueprint specs.
Learn How To Write a Material Handler Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Material Handler resumes and compiled some information about how to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
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Top Skills For a Material Handler
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 6.4% of material handlers listed forklifts on their resume, but soft skills such as hand–eye coordination and listening skills are important as well.
- Forklifts, 6.4%
- Communication, 6.3%
- Customer Service, 5.0%
- Assembly Line, 5.0%
- Hand Tools, 4.8%
- Other Skills, 72.5% See All Material Handler Skills
Best States For a Material Handler
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a material handler. The best states for people in this position are Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, and Minnesota. Material handlers make the most in Alaska with an average salary of $37,657. Whereas in Washington and Hawaii, they would average $34,836 and $33,585, respectively. While material handlers would only make an average of $33,570 in Minnesota, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Wisconsin
$32,095
Avg. Salary
2. Minnesota
$33,570
Avg. Salary
3. Nevada
$30,807
Avg. Salary
How Do Material Handler Rate Their Jobs?
5.0
5.0
What do you like the most about working as Material Handler?
Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to. Show MoreTop Material Handler Employers
We've made finding a great employer to work for easy by doing the hard work for you. We looked into employers that employ material handlers and discovered their number of material handler opportunities and average salary. Through our research, we concluded that FedEx was the best, especially with an average salary of $29,974. McKesson follows up with an average salary of $30,397, and then comes Kelly Services with an average of $29,691. In addition, we know most people would rather work from home. So instead of having to change careers, we identified the best employers for remote work as a material handler. The employers include Knoll, Safari Solutions, and None
Material Handler Videos
