Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between mechanical spreader operators and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a mechanical spreader operator, becoming a driver/material handler takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mechanical spreader operator has an average salary of $42,262, which is higher than the $36,219 average annual salary of a driver/material handler.
The top three skills for a mechanical spreader operator include hand tools, plumbing and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $42,262 | $36,219 |
| Hourly rate | $20.32 | $17.41 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 60,297 | 198,718 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A mechanical spreader operators manage and operate all equipment in various industries where they perform their jobs. The operators work as general mechanics in building HVAC, general building maintenance, and pump station operations. They test electro-mechanical subsystems for operational reliability and circuit integrity. Their job includes promoting quality assurance and performance improvement programs within the organization. Also, they perform an energy audit to improve the efficiency of HVAC energy.
Primarily, driver/material handlers help maintain the production and distribution of products through inventory pullout, production materials, and supplies delivery, and finished product staging. Material handlers manage the transport of equipment or ammunition and conduct the planning and execution functions for effective grind force training. They pick and audit hazmat materials and deliver them to their customers. Also, they develop and expedite clear and effective communication with their customers.
Mechanical spreader operators and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average salary | $42,262 | $36,219 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $58,000 | Between $28,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Baptist Health South Florida | Merck |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a mechanical spreader operator and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mechanical spreader operators' and driver/material handlers' demographics:
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | 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 Percentage | 5% | 4% |