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What is a material handler/warehouse associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a material handler/warehouse associate. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.76 an hour? That's $32,772 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 358,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreMaterial Handler/Warehouse AssociateUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $32,772

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.24%

Asian 5.19%

Black or African American 14.76%

Hispanic or Latino 21.13%

Unknown 5.62%

White 52.06%

Gender

female 18.16%

male 81.84%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.7

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Material handler/warehouse associate career paths

Key steps to become a material handler/warehouse associate

  1. Explore material handler/warehouse associate education requirements

    Most common material handler/warehouse associate degrees

    High School Diploma

    52.9 %

    Associate

    15.5 %

    Bachelor's

    11.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific material handler/warehouse associate skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Pallets16.64%
    Pallet Jack12.48%
    Warehouse Equipment8.18%
    Safety Procedures6.52%
    Delivery Truck5.84%
  3. Complete relevant material handler/warehouse associate training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New material handler/warehouse associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a material handler/warehouse associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real material handler/warehouse associate resumes.
  4. Research material handler/warehouse associate duties and responsibilities

    • Perform analysis of logistics for equipment, personnel, and training on computer spreadsheets/databases, using specialize tracking software.
    • Job knowledge includes receiving, picking, packing, order processing and shipping of parcel, LTL & TL medical shipments.
  5. Prepare your material handler/warehouse associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your material handler/warehouse associate resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a material handler/warehouse associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable material handler/warehouse associate resume templates

    Build a professional material handler/warehouse associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your material handler/warehouse associate resume.
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
    Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Resume
  6. Apply for material handler/warehouse associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a material handler/warehouse associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first material handler/warehouse associate job

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Average material handler/warehouse associate salary

The average material handler/warehouse associate salary in the United States is $32,772 per year or $16 per hour. Material handler/warehouse associate salaries range between $27,000 and $38,000 per year.

Average material handler/warehouse associate salary
$32,772 Yearly
$15.76 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do material handler/warehouse associates rate their job?

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Material handler/warehouse associate reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

It saves time and makes work easier and enhance greater output

Cons

To be surcharge when there's a damage on goods through accident


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to.

Cons

Not being able to learn where every part goes to. For instance parts that go to a furnace, train, or a converter.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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