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The differences between material handlers and shipping and receiving clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a shipping and receiving clerk has an average salary of $33,438, 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 shipping and receiving clerk are shipping receiving, customer service, and safety regulations.
| Material Handler | Shipping And Receiving Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $33,215 | $33,438 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $16.08 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 174,068 | 224,166 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
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.
Shipping and receiving clerks manage all incoming and outgoing packages in a warehouse or logistics facility. They ensure that all outgoing packages are packed accurately based on the order form and secured properly based on company standards. They then ensure that the parcels are shipped and delivered. Shipping and receiving clerks also manage the receipt of all incoming packages. They check whether these incoming packages are addressed to the company. They also check if all received packages are complete and in good condition. Shipping and receiving clerks ensure that all incoming and outgoing packages are recorded and that the inventory is updated at all times.
Material handlers and shipping and receiving clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler | Shipping And Receiving Clerk | |
| Average salary | $33,215 | $33,438 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $28,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Steel Dynamics |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a material handler and a shipping and receiving clerk in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler | Shipping And Receiving Clerk | |
| 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 shipping and receiving clerks' demographics:
| Material Handler | Shipping And Receiving Clerk | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |