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Material handler lead vs dock worker

The differences between material handler leads and dock workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler lead has an average salary of $37,147, which is higher than the $36,027 average annual salary of a dock worker.

The top three skills for a material handler lead include logistics, safety procedures and material handlers. The most important skills for a dock worker are safety rules, tractor trailer, and LTL.

Material handler lead vs dock worker overview

Material Handler LeadDock Worker
Yearly salary$37,147$36,027
Hourly rate$17.86$17.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs37,577119,104
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a material handler lead do?

A material handler lead, also known as a package handler, warehouse associate, or hand laborer, manually moves products, merchandise, stock, and other materials. This role tends to be found within supply chains, manufacturing, production, shipping, storage, or customer receiving. This role entails maintaining inventory, taking note of the location of stock, verifying production orders, loading delivery trucks, and filling client orders. They also need to ensure safety in the working area and maintain accurate documentation of the materials that are being shipped.

What does a dock worker do?

People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.

Material handler lead vs dock worker salary

Material handler leads and dock workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material Handler LeadDock Worker
Average salary$37,147$36,027
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $47,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCCoon Rapids, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyHalliburtonDairy Farmers of America
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between material handler lead and dock worker education

There are a few differences between a material handler lead and a dock worker in terms of educational background:

Material Handler LeadDock Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Material handler lead vs dock worker demographics

Here are the differences between material handler leads' and dock workers' demographics:

Material Handler LeadDock Worker
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 82.2% Female, 17.8%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between material handler lead and dock worker duties and responsibilities

Material handler lead example responsibilities.

  • Experience in managing JIT material handling, shipping, rail dock, truck dock and metal assembly areas.
  • Lead and execute projects relate to different commodities such as copper and silver, expect savings of $435K.
  • Utilize RF inventory management system, maintain records in accordance with guidelines to ensure integrity of ISO standards.
  • Help the site meet OSHA VPP status.
  • Train as foamer for Hazmat.
  • Follow all OSHA and PPE standards.
  • Show more

Dock worker example responsibilities.

  • Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
  • Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
  • Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
  • Print BOL for daily deliveries.
  • Use RF scanning system to select orders.
  • Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
  • Show more

Material handler lead vs dock worker skills

Common material handler lead skills
  • Logistics, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Material Handlers, 9%
  • Shipping Receiving, 7%
  • Pallets, 5%
  • RF, 4%
Common dock worker skills
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Tractor Trailer, 8%
  • LTL, 8%
  • Unload Trailers, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Dock Equipment, 5%

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