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Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse clerk

The differences between material handler/warehouses and warehouse clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler/warehouse has an average salary of $32,384, which is higher than the $31,564 average annual salary of a warehouse clerk.

The top three skills for a material handler/warehouse include pallets, work ethic and warehouse environment. The most important skills for a warehouse clerk are work ethic, data entry, and logistics.

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse clerk overview

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Clerk
Yearly salary$32,384$31,564
Hourly rate$15.57$15.18
Growth rate6%1%
Number of jobs154,227235,973
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age4038
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 warehouse clerk do?

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.

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse clerk salary

Material handler/warehouses and warehouse clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Clerk
Average salary$32,384$31,564
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $38,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyPPGThermo Fisher Scientific
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between material handler/warehouse and warehouse clerk education

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

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse clerk demographics

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

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Clerk
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 85.0% Female, 15.0%Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%6%

Differences between material handler/warehouse and warehouse clerk 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.
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Warehouse clerk example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage shipping for complete pallets to different work sites internationally.
  • Check the MRP system for shortages on release work orders or sales orders and issue as required.
  • Update training and work instructions pursuant to ISO guidelines.
  • Have used various MRP systems for inventory with superior knowledge.
  • Train and certify in the use of ESD equipment and practices.
  • Process all BOL via SAP/TWMS for external, rail and barge shipments.
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Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse clerk skills

Common material handler/warehouse skills
  • Pallets, 16%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Warehouse Environment, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Supply Support, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
Common warehouse clerk skills
  • Work Ethic, 19%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Pallets, 4%
  • Patients, 4%

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