Merchandise handler vs stock unloader

The differences between merchandise handlers and stock unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a stock unloader has an average salary of $43,736, 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 stock unloader are pallets, sales floor, and store shelves.

Merchandise handler vs stock unloader overview

	Merchandise Handler	Stock Unloader
Yearly salary	$31,855	$43,736
Hourly rate	$15.31	$21.03
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	47,657	75,994
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 62%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

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 stock unloader do?

Stock unloaders are workers in charge of unloading goods and items from the truck into the store. The unloaders move the products in a warehouse, distribution center, or any industrial facility. They stock the shelves in stores, work with the general merchandise team, and clean the processing center. It is also their responsibility to enforce procedures and policies for departmental operations. The skills necessary to carry out this job include strong communication skills, leadership, and attention to detail.

Merchandise handler vs stock unloader salary

Merchandise handlers and stock unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Merchandise Handler	Stock Unloader
Average salary	$31,855	$43,736
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $37,000	Between $34,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	Taunton, MA	-
Highest paying state	Hawaii	-
Best paying company	The RealReal	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

Differences between merchandise handler and stock unloader education

There are a few differences between a merchandise handler and a stock unloader in terms of educational background:

	Merchandise Handler	Stock Unloader
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Merchandise handler vs stock unloader demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise handlers' and stock unloaders' demographics:

	Merchandise Handler	Stock Unloader
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7%	Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1%
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, 14.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between merchandise handler and stock unloader 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.

Stock unloader example responsibilities.

Manage equipment (e.g., conveyor) and materials (e.g., pallets, shrink wrapping), unloading receive merchandise.
Use RF scanner for items location.
Interpret price tag and UPC information.
Maintain back stock areas for groceries and replenish shelf supplies.
Interpret price tag and UPC information to ensure proper inventory management.
Used a variety of ways (hand, dollies, forklifts) to move receptacles to and from appropriate locations.

Merchandise handler vs stock unloader skills

Common merchandise handler skills

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

Common stock unloader skills

Pallets, 24%
Sales Floor, 22%
Store Shelves, 12%
Customer Service, 10%
Unload Trucks, 6%
Stock Shelves, 5%

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Merchandise Handler
Merchandise Handler vs Stock Unloader

Updated January 8, 2025

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