Merchandise handler vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between merchandise handlers and material handler/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $31,855 average annual salary of a merchandise handler.

The top three skills for a merchandise handler include basic math, math and pallets. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Merchandise handler vs material handler/forklift operator overview

	Merchandise Handler	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$31,855	$36,453
Hourly rate	$15.31	$17.53
Growth rate	6%	7%
Number of jobs	47,657	168,379
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	40	43
Years of experience	-	4

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.

What does a material handler/forklift operator do?

A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.

Merchandise handler vs material handler/forklift operator salary

Merchandise handlers and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Merchandise Handler	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$31,855	$36,453
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $37,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Taunton, MA	Lakeville, MN
Highest paying state	Hawaii	North Dakota
Best paying company	The RealReal	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Retail	Automotive

Differences between merchandise handler and material handler/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a merchandise handler and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Merchandise Handler	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Merchandise handler vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise handlers' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:

	Merchandise Handler	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average age	40	43
Gender ratio	Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	5%	4%

Differences between merchandise handler and material handler/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.

Merchandise handler vs material handler/forklift operator skills

Common merchandise handler skills

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

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 4%

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Merchandise Handler
Merchandise Handler vs Material Handler/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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