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Material processor vs driver/material handler

The differences between material processors and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a material processor, becoming a driver/material handler takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a driver/material handler has an average salary of $36,219, which is higher than the $31,148 average annual salary of a material processor.

The top three skills for a material processor include aerospace, CNC and hand tools. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.

Material processor vs driver/material handler overview

Material ProcessorDriver/Material Handler
Yearly salary$31,148$36,219
Hourly rate$14.97$17.41
Growth rate-3%7%
Number of jobs25,241198,718
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4543
Years of experience24

Material processor vs driver/material handler salary

Material processors and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material ProcessorDriver/Material Handler
Average salary$31,148$36,219
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityEl Dorado Hills, CASanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyNorthrop GrummanMerck
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between material processor and driver/material handler education

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

Material ProcessorDriver/Material Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina University-

Material processor vs driver/material handler demographics

Here are the differences between material processors' and driver/material handlers' demographics:

Material ProcessorDriver/Material Handler
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 61.3% Female, 38.7%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%4%

Differences between material processor and driver/material handler duties and responsibilities

Material processor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate customer delivery commits between production, engineering and logistics.
  • Pick orders using RF scanner.
  • Provide assistance during shipment audits for less-than truckload (LTL) freight.
  • Work directly with mortgage lenders and foreclosure attorneys to negotiate timely and cost effective repayment plans or modifications for delinquent loans.
  • Perform the necessary research on new parts and WIP utilizing a wide variety of technical manuals, blue prints and drawings.
  • Streamline manufacturing process by supporting WIP management and warehouse and material repair board coordinator.
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Driver/material handler example responsibilities.

  • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
  • Load and unload LTL freight from inbound and outbound trailers.
  • Operate forklifts in transferring loading and unloading materials in LTL.
  • Pick and audit hazmat and international orders.
  • Handle emergency hazmat situations requiring quick decision making skills.
  • Stack and move pallets from different lines with different products documenting quantity and quality while participating in a team environment.
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Material processor vs driver/material handler skills

Common material processor skills
  • Aerospace, 9%
  • CNC, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Computer System, 7%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Common driver/material handler skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • Customer Orders, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Pallets, 6%

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