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Material handler vs warehouseman

The differences between material handlers and warehousemen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouseman has an average salary of $36,022, 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 warehouseman are pallets, safety regulations, and electric pallet jack.

Material handler vs warehouseman overview

Material HandlerWarehouseman
Yearly salary$33,215$36,022
Hourly rate$15.97$17.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs174,068158,488
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a material handler do?

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.

What does a warehouseman do?

A warehouseman or warehouse worker is the person who assists with the inventory, shipping, and receiving of items in warehouses. Warehousemen receive and process incoming materials and stocks, along with picking and filling orders from the store. They manage, organize, and retrieve supplies and others. These workers need to have skills in speed, accuracy, and prioritizing tasks on site. They should also be equipped with skills in forklift, loading, and general labor.

Material handler vs warehouseman salary

Material handlers and warehousemen have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material HandlerWarehouseman
Average salary$33,215$36,022
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $41,000Between $30,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MN-
Highest paying stateMinnesota-
Best paying companyBattelle-
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between material handler and warehouseman education

There are a few differences between a material handler and a warehouseman in terms of educational background:

Material HandlerWarehouseman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Material handler vs warehouseman demographics

Here are the differences between material handlers' and warehousemen' demographics:

Material HandlerWarehouseman
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 77.6% Female, 22.4%Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.4% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.5% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between material handler and warehouseman duties and responsibilities

Material handler example responsibilities.

  • Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
  • Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
  • Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
  • Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
  • Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
  • Show more

Warehouseman example responsibilities.

  • Load and unload hazardous materials for shipment to/from various states and countries verifying proper HAZMAT documents.
  • Follow all safety precautions during driving and work with GPS system for mapping.
  • Conduct all operations to diminish unfavorable environmental impacts for HAZMAT as outlined by OSHA.
  • Certify to operate different types of forklifts, RF scanner skills, cycle counting, shipping receiving ,
  • Scan outboard shipments using an RF scanner to calculate product count; assure proper shipment quantity and destination.
  • Warehouse position/delivery driver with CDL.
  • Show more

Material handler vs warehouseman skills

Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%
Common warehouseman skills
  • Pallets, 11%
  • Safety Regulations, 9%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Forklift Operation, 5%
  • Inventory Control, 5%

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