Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between material handlers and package 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 $32,785 average annual salary of a package handler.
The top three skills for a material handler include pallets, basic math and forklifts. The most important skills for a package handler are warehouse environment, load trailers, and delivery truck.
| Material Handler | Package Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $33,215 | $32,785 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $15.76 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 174,068 | 93,831 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| 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 package handler's primary duty is to place and load correct packages to delivery vehicles and review inventory upon shipments. Package handlers are responsible for analyzing product labels to make sure that the items are accurately processed. A package handler should also have basic knowledge on running warehouse equipment and loading tools to finish the task more efficiently. Package handlers must be able to communicate with other personnel for any concerns that might affect the parcel condition and customer's satisfaction.
Material handlers and package handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler | Package Handler | |
| Average salary | $33,215 | $32,785 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Battelle | ALDI USA |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Retail |
There are a few differences between a material handler and a package handler in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler | Package Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handlers' and package handlers' demographics:
| Material Handler | Package Handler | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |