Materials associate vs merchandise handler

The differences between materials associates and merchandise 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 $31,855 average annual salary of a merchandise handler.

The top three skills for a materials associate include OSHA, RF and management system. The most important skills for a merchandise handler are basic math, math, and pallets.

Materials associate vs merchandise handler overview

	Materials Associate	Merchandise Handler
Yearly salary	$34,143	$31,855
Hourly rate	$16.41	$15.31
Growth rate	1%	6%
Number of jobs	56,770	47,657
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	40
Years of experience	-	-

What does a materials associate do?

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.

What does a merchandise handler do?

A merchandise handler deals with inventory and merchandise for shipment to ecommerce customers. This position requires familiarity with all computer technology used in processing the merchandise. The duties of this position are accurately recording the movement of merchandise, operating merchandise handling equipment, confirming the quantity of inventory, and handling the merchandise with care to avoid damage. They also need to ensure the customer has quality experience with every order.

Materials associate vs merchandise handler salary

Materials associates and merchandise handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Materials Associate	Merchandise Handler
Average salary	$34,143	$31,855
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $55,000	Between $26,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Coventry, RI	Taunton, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Eli Lilly and Company	The RealReal
Best paying industry	Technology	Retail

Differences between materials associate and merchandise handler education

There are a few differences between a materials associate and a merchandise handler in terms of educational background:

	Materials Associate	Merchandise Handler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Materials associate vs merchandise handler demographics

Here are the differences between materials associates' and merchandise handlers' demographics:

	Materials Associate	Merchandise Handler
Average age	38	40
Gender ratio	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%	Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	5%

Differences between materials associate and merchandise handler duties and responsibilities

Materials associate example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to manage inventory.
Update sonic, manual files, and relay all pertinent info to leads, supervisors and AOG.
Enter orders into ERP system.
Purchase raw materials using MRP planning system.
Contact suppliers to request ROHS and ISO certifications.
Pick and confirm medical equipment for other technology companies using RF scanners.

Merchandise handler example responsibilities.

Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA standards.
Make visual evaluations and floor moves while maintaining OSHA guidelines.
Process incoming merchandise shipments by unpacking products, moving items in WMS, steaming clothing, and stocking shelves.
Transport pallets to where they need to go in the store to insure products are stocked up properly for customer needs.
Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
Greet customers while bagging their groceries, collect carts in parking lot, put away return items, general sanitation.

Materials associate vs merchandise handler skills

Common materials associate skills

OSHA, 9%
RF, 9%
Management System, 7%
Pallets, 7%
Customer Orders, 7%
Shipping Receiving, 6%

Common merchandise handler skills

Basic Math, 21%
Math, 17%
Pallets, 11%
Hand Tools, 10%
Purchase Orders, 6%
Hand Trucks, 6%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Materials Associate
Materials Associate vs Merchandise Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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