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Material handler/warehouse vs material handler

The differences between material handler/warehouses and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler has an average salary of $33,215, which is higher than the $32,384 average annual salary of a material handler/warehouse.

The top three skills for a material handler/warehouse include pallets, work ethic and warehouse environment. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.

Material handler/warehouse vs material handler overview

Material Handler/WarehouseMaterial Handler
Yearly salary$32,384$33,215
Hourly rate$15.57$15.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs154,227174,068
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a material handler/warehouse do?

A warehouse material handler is responsible for assisting warehouse operations, moving merchandise from one place to another, labeling products, performing quality check procedures, packaging goods, and loading and unloading items from distribution vehicles. Warehouse material handlers operate warehouse tools and equipment for production, as well as ensuring the adequacy of stock inventory needed for orders and deliveries. A warehouse material handler also updates product information on the database and do administrative tasks, such as writing reports and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns.

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.

Material handler/warehouse vs material handler salary

Material handler/warehouses and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material Handler/WarehouseMaterial Handler
Average salary$32,384$33,215
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiMinnesota
Best paying companyPPGBattelle
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between material handler/warehouse and material handler education

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

Material Handler/WarehouseMaterial Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Material handler/warehouse vs material handler demographics

Here are the differences between material handler/warehouses' and material handlers' demographics:

Material Handler/WarehouseMaterial Handler
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 85.0% Female, 15.0%Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 5.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%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%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between material handler/warehouse and material handler duties and responsibilities

Material handler/warehouse example responsibilities.

  • Experience in WMS management system.
  • Handle stock tickets, and pack cross-dock shipments in accordance with establish WMS procedures.
  • Pull installation material for service partners and technicians using RF scanners and JDE warehouse management system.
  • Perform all warehouse distribution duties using sit-down and stand-up lift trucks, RF scanners and warehouse management system.
  • Utilize material moving equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts and dollies to bring products and materials to an appropriate location.
  • Move property from one place to another with and without the use of pull carts, dollies, and pallet jacks.
  • Show more

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

Material handler/warehouse vs material handler skills

Common material handler/warehouse skills
  • Pallets, 16%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Warehouse Environment, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Supply Support, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%

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