Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between merchandise handlers and unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an unloader has an average salary of $32,885, 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 an unloader are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.
| Merchandise Handler | Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $31,855 | $32,885 |
| Hourly rate | $15.31 | $15.81 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 47,657 | 63,202 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.
Merchandise handlers and unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Handler | Unloader | |
| Average salary | $31,855 | $32,885 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $37,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Taunton, MA | Meridian, ID |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | The RealReal | Land O'Lakes |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a merchandise handler and an unloader in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Handler | Unloader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandise handlers' and unloaders' demographics:
| Merchandise Handler | Unloader | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| 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, 14.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |