What does a material handler/warehouse associate do?
Material handler/warehouse associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real material handler/warehouse associate resumes:
- 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.
Material handler/warehouse associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Material Handler/Warehouse Associates are proficient in Pallets, Pallet Jack, and Warehouse Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical strength, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Material Handler/Warehouse Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 17%
Maneuvered 50-100 pallets daily utilizing an electric cherry picker.
- Pallet Jack, 12%
Operated power and manual pallet jacks., These tools were used every day to assist in moving and picking inventory.
- Warehouse Equipment, 8%
Maintain and monitor warehouse equipment for safety and operational efficiency.
- Safety Procedures, 7%
Follow safety procedures and regulations; including wearing special protective gear and disposing of materials as regulated by FDA.
- Delivery Truck, 6%
Stocked up and unloaded delivery truck when needed.
- Load Trucks, 5%
Stock, pack/unpack boxes and load/unload trucks on a daily basis.
Common skills that a material handler/warehouse associate uses to do their job include "pallets," "pallet jack," and "warehouse equipment." You can find details on the most important material handler/warehouse associate responsibilities below.
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a material handler/warehouse associate to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Additionally, a material handler/warehouse associate resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "communicated to help assist with oversized customer orders monitored inventory levels to ensure availability of product. "
Physical strength. Another essential skill to perform material handler/warehouse associate duties is physical strength. Material handler/warehouse associates responsibilities require that "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." Material handler/warehouse associates also use physical strength in their role according to a real resume snippet: "picked items requested on purchase orders (physically) . "
Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of material handler/warehouse associates is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday material handler/warehouse associate duties, as "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "fulfilled customer orders and prepared pallets for shipping. "
The three companies that hire the most material handler/warehouse associates are:
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Material handler/warehouse associate vs. Can handler
Can handlers or material handlers have various duties and responsibilities within an organization. These include maintaining production and product distribution, staging finished products, and delivering production supplies and materials. Other responsibilities include maintaining inventory, documenting supplies and materials disposition, and receiving supplies and materials from production. They receive credit-return materials by verifying the code, quantity, and lot number. Can handlers also prepare products for shipment, maintain material-handling equipment, and contribute to teamwork and effort. The skills and qualifications needed for this position include organizational skills, inventory control, and data entry skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between material handler/warehouse associates and can handler. For instance, material handler/warehouse associate responsibilities require skills such as "pallets," "warehouse equipment," "cherry pickers," and "shipping receiving." Whereas a can handler is skilled in "customer service," "patients," "supply support," and "fedex." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Can handlers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,051. In contrast, material handler/warehouse associates make the biggest average salary, $38,110, in the manufacturing industry.The education levels that can handlers earn slightly differ from material handler/warehouse associates. In particular, can handlers are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a material handler/warehouse associate. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler/warehouse associate vs. Package handler
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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that material handler/warehouse associate responsibilities requires skills like "pallets," "warehouse equipment," "cherry pickers," and "shipping receiving." But a package handler might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "warehouse environment," "load trailers," "load packages," and "supply support."
On average, package handlers earn a higher salary than material handler/warehouse associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, package handlers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $38,714. Whereas material handler/warehouse associates have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $38,110.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Package handlers tend to reach similar levels of education than material handler/warehouse associates. In fact, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler/warehouse associate vs. Warehouse labour
Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution. They should also strictly adhere to the production area's safety regulations, especially on loading and unloading items, and moving each package to appropriate shelves using warehouse equipment.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, material handler/warehouse associates are more likely to have skills like "pallet jack," "rf scanner," "hazardous materials," and "wms." But a warehouse labour is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "basic math," "cleanliness," and "math."
Warehouse labours earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,085. Comparatively, material handler/warehouse associates have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $38,110.Most warehouse labours achieve a similar degree level compared to material handler/warehouse associates. For example, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler/warehouse associate vs. Warehouse clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
Types of material handler/warehouse associate
Updated January 8, 2025











