Materials Handling Equipment Operator Education Requirements And Courses

Materials handling equipment operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, materials handling equipment operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for materials handling equipment operators is high school diploma with 49% graduates, with only 22% materials handling equipment operator graduates earning associate degree. Materials handling equipment operators who decided to graduate from college often finish Texas A&M; University - Central Texas or University of Phoenix. Some good skills to have in this position include pallets, pallet jack and safety regulations.

What education do you need to become a materials handling equipment operator?

What degree do you need to be a materials handling equipment operator?

The most common degree for materials handling equipment operators is high school diploma, with 49% of materials handling equipment operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 22% and associate degree degree at 13%.

High School Diploma, 49%

Associate, 22%

Bachelor's, 13%

Diploma, 12%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a materials handling equipment operator?

You should major in business to become a materials handling equipment operator. 16% of materials handling equipment operators major in business. Other common majors for a materials handling equipment operator include general studies and criminal justice.

Business, 16%

General Studies, 13%

Criminal Justice, 10%

Precision Metal Working, 6%

Other Majors, 55%

Best majors for materials handling equipment operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	16.3%
2	General Studies	13.3%
3	Criminal Justice	10.2%
4	Precision Metal Working	6.1%
5	Supply Chain Management	5.1%

Show more common materials handling equipment operator majors

20 best online courses for materials handling equipment operators

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1. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

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Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

2. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

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Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

3. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

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OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

4. Occupational Health & Safety Training

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Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

5. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

6. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

7. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

8. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program

4.5

(1,113)

Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...

9. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

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A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

10. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

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A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

11. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

12. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out

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OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...

13. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

14. Risk Management: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment

4.3

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Risk Management: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA), Hazard Control & Mitigation, Risk Evaluation Techniques...

15. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

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Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

16. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

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(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

17. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

18. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

19. Health & Safety Risk Assessment

4.4

(545)

Learn how to conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace...

20. Electrical Power Equipment

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Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

Average materials handling equipment operator salary by education level

Materials handling equipment operators with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $35,692 annually. With a High School Diploma degree, materials handling equipment operators earn a median annual income of $34,878 compared to $34,804 for materials handling equipment operators with an Bachelor's degree.

Materials handling equipment operator education level	Materials handling equipment operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$34,878
Bachelor's Degree	$34,804
Some College/ Associate Degree	$35,692