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Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse packer

The differences between material handler/warehouses and warehouse packers 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 $30,384 average annual salary of a warehouse packer.

The top three skills for a material handler/warehouse include pallets, work ethic and warehouse environment. The most important skills for a warehouse packer are pallets, pallet jack, and customer orders.

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse packer overview

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Packer
Yearly salary$32,384$30,384
Hourly rate$15.57$14.61
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs154,227154,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 53%
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 warehouse packer do?

A warehouse packer places items in designated boxes with the right packing materials and documentation before they are then labeled and shipped to the customer. Their job is to prepare products for packaging and shipping. They take needed items on the invoice from the inventory, ensure they are in good condition, and wrap and package them appropriately for shipping. They are expected to update the inventory, noting down items that have been removed.

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse packer salary

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

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Packer
Average salary$32,384$30,384
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $38,000Between $25,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WASaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyPPGUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between material handler/warehouse and warehouse packer education

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

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Packer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse packer demographics

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

Material Handler/WarehouseWarehouse Packer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 85.0% Female, 15.0%Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
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, 13.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage5%7%

Differences between material handler/warehouse and warehouse packer 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

Warehouse packer example responsibilities.

  • Pack shipments for customers and send out through FedEx.
  • Utilize FedEx shipping software by creating and editing shipping labels for each customer.
  • Work as a team player with fellow employees to ensure the operation run smoothly.
  • Pile boxes onto pallets and have the pallets send off to the workers with forklift to arrange for shipping
  • Downstock products from upper-level storage when customer-accessible items run low.
  • Maximize efficiency by critically evaluating resources by utilizing on-the-spot math and visualizing complete orders to minimize error before building a pallet.
  • Show more

Material handler/warehouse vs warehouse packer skills

Common material handler/warehouse skills
  • Pallets, 16%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Warehouse Environment, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Supply Support, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
Common warehouse packer skills
  • Pallets, 54%
  • Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Dollies, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 3%
  • Safety Rules, 3%

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