Merchandise processor vs merchandise handler

The differences between merchandise processors and merchandise handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchandise handler has an average salary of $31,855, which is higher than the $31,092 average annual salary of a merchandise processor.

The top three skills for a merchandise processor include customer service, sales floor and basic math. The most important skills for a merchandise handler are basic math, math, and pallets.

Merchandise processor vs merchandise handler overview

	Merchandise Processor	Merchandise Handler
Yearly salary	$31,092	$31,855
Hourly rate	$14.95	$15.31
Growth rate	-4%	6%
Number of jobs	13,551	47,657
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	12	-

What does a merchandise processor do?

A Merchandise Processor works at warehouse facilities where they are in charge of preparing and processing merchandise. Their tasks typically revolve around monitoring inventory, organizing and labeling products, packing and tagging items, strategically arranging materials to maximize warehouse spaces, storing supplies according to protocols, and maintaining incoming and outgoing merchandise. There are also instances when they must inspect the product's quality and quantity, sort and price items, and produce reports. A Merchandise Processor typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for an efficient and smooth workflow.

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.

Merchandise processor vs merchandise handler salary

Merchandise processors and merchandise handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Merchandise Processor	Merchandise Handler
Average salary	$31,092	$31,855
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $26,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Lombard, IL	Taunton, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Steve Madden	The RealReal
Best paying industry	Retail	Retail

Differences between merchandise processor and merchandise handler education

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

	Merchandise Processor	Merchandise Handler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Merchandise processor vs merchandise handler demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise processors' and merchandise handlers' demographics:

	Merchandise Processor	Merchandise Handler
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 44.0% Female, 56.0%	Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	5%

Differences between merchandise processor and merchandise handler duties and responsibilities

Merchandise processor example responsibilities.

Achieve quality (IQA) standards in all areas.
Achieve production (UPH) standards in all areas.
Manage tracking for all orders, manage invoice input via QuickBooks and maintain communications with all clients and vendors.
Help list items on EBay.
Create worksheets and training packets for those procedures.
Review various inventory reports through WMS daily and perform relate tasks.

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.

Merchandise processor vs merchandise handler skills

Common merchandise processor skills

Customer Service, 28%
Sales Floor, 21%
Basic Math, 7%
Inventory Flow, 5%
Math, 5%
Customer Pick-Up, 4%

Common merchandise handler skills

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

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Office and Administrative Industry
Merchandise Processor
Merchandise Processor vs Merchandise Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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