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The differences between material handlers and merchandise handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler has an average salary of $33,215, which is higher than the $31,855 average annual salary of a merchandise handler.
The top three skills for a material handler include pallets, basic math and forklifts. The most important skills for a merchandise handler are basic math, math, and pallets.
| Material Handler | Merchandise Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $33,215 | $31,855 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $15.31 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 174,068 | 47,657 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| 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 merchandise handler deals with inventory and merchandise for shipment to ecommerce customers. This position requires familiarity with all computer technology used in processing the merchandise. The duties of this position are accurately recording the movement of merchandise, operating merchandise handling equipment, confirming the quantity of inventory, and handling the merchandise with care to avoid damage. They also need to ensure the customer has quality experience with every order.
Material handlers and merchandise handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler | Merchandise Handler | |
| Average salary | $33,215 | $31,855 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $26,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Battelle | The RealReal |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Retail |
There are a few differences between a material handler and a merchandise handler in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler | Merchandise Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handlers' and merchandise handlers' demographics:
| Material Handler | Merchandise Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |