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The differences between materials associates and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials associate has an average salary of $34,143, which is higher than the $33,215 average annual salary of a material handler.
The top three skills for a materials associate include OSHA, RF and management system. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.
| Materials Associate | Material Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $34,143 | $33,215 |
| Hourly rate | $16.41 | $15.97 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 56,770 | 174,068 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Materials Associate will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities for an organization. These include maintaining the production and distribution of products, documenting materials and supplies, and preparing finished products for shipment. As a Materials Associate, you will perform preventive maintenance of material handling equipment and schedule and monitor delivery pickups. You will also perform other duties that may include maintaining established company procedures, policies, and standards, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and maintaining building security.
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.
Materials associates and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Associate | Material Handler | |
| Average salary | $34,143 | $33,215 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $55,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coventry, RI | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | New York | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a materials associate and a material handler in terms of educational background:
| Materials Associate | Material Handler | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between materials associates' and material handlers' demographics:
| Materials Associate | Material Handler | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 Percentage | 6% | 5% |