Materials handling equipment operator vs loader operator

The differences between materials handling equipment operators and loader operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a materials handling equipment operator and a loader operator. Additionally, a loader operator has an average salary of $36,987, which is higher than the $34,554 average annual salary of a materials handling equipment operator.

The top three skills for a materials handling equipment operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety regulations. The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Materials handling equipment operator vs loader operator overview

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Loader Operator
Yearly salary	$34,554	$36,987
Hourly rate	$16.61	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	72,569	61,980
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Materials handling equipment operator vs loader operator salary

Materials handling equipment operators and loader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Loader Operator
Average salary	$34,554	$36,987
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Bismarck, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between materials handling equipment operator and loader operator education

There are a few differences between a materials handling equipment operator and a loader operator in terms of educational background:

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Loader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Materials handling equipment operator vs loader operator demographics

Here are the differences between materials handling equipment operators' and loader operators' demographics:

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Loader Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between materials handling equipment operator and loader operator duties and responsibilities

Materials handling equipment operator example responsibilities.

Operate stand-up forklift, reach truck and walkie.
Unload railcars using crane, forklift and overhead hoists.
Certify on walkie rider, stand-up forklift/ high reach forklift, and turret truck.
Perform daily pre and post maintenance inspection checks on designate material handling equipment (MHE).
Load and secure items onto pallets and ensure that the materials are in the proper place and prepare them for shipment.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Materials handling equipment operator vs loader operator skills

Common materials handling equipment operator skills

Pallets, 16%
Pallet Jack, 12%
Safety Regulations, 9%
End Loaders, 8%
Basic Math, 7%
Safety Procedures, 6%

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Materials Handling Equipment Operator vs. similar jobs

Materials Handling Equipment Operator related careers

Materials Handling Equipment Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Materials Handling Equipment Operator
Materials Handling Equipment Operator vs Loader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs