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The differences between material handler/warehouses and material handler/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, 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/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Material Handler/Warehouse | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,384 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $15.57 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 154,227 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Material handler/warehouses and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler/Warehouse | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,384 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $38,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | PPG | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material handler/warehouse and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler/Warehouse | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handler/warehouses' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Material Handler/Warehouse | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |