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The differences between material handlers 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 $33,215 average annual salary of a material handler.
The top three skills for a material handler include pallets, basic math and forklifts. The most important skills for a freight handler are basic math, pallets, and math.
| Material Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $33,215 | $35,944 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $17.28 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 174,068 | 67,422 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
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.
Material handlers and freight handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Average salary | $33,215 | $35,944 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Battelle | R+L Carriers |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a material handler and a freight handler in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handlers' and freight handlers' demographics:
| Material Handler | Freight Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |