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Mover vs material handler

The differences between movers and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler has an average salary of $33,215, which is higher than the $33,187 average annual salary of a mover.

The top three skills for a mover include office furniture, customer service and household goods. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.

Mover vs material handler overview

MoverMaterial Handler
Yearly salary$33,187$33,215
Hourly rate$15.96$15.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs4,222174,068
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a mover do?

Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes. Among the elements, they do include the preparation, loading, and unloading of items. They are also notable as material movers and hand laborers. Some movers drive a moving truck. However, they should not be burdened with any issue with a high value like jewelry and cash.

What does a material handler do?

Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.

Mover vs material handler salary

Movers and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

MoverMaterial Handler
Average salary$33,187$33,215
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $42,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityKent, WAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaMinnesota
Best paying companyZagBattelle
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between mover and material handler education

There are a few differences between a mover and a material handler in terms of educational background:

MoverMaterial Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Mover vs material handler demographics

Here are the differences between movers' and material handlers' demographics:

MoverMaterial Handler
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.3% Female, 5.7%Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between mover and material handler duties and responsibilities

Mover example responsibilities.

  • Hand hoisting furniture both up and down.
  • Assist families with helping to build their new homes through USDA funding.
  • Move pianos, gym equipment, bookcases, computer equipment, televisions, mirrors and glass pieces.
  • Work with USDA to develop policies and procedures to enhance the volume and quality of housing services.
  • Used a variety of items such as, a fork lift and dollies to move receptacles to and from appropriate locations.
  • Develop inventory management -learn how to pack/unpack furniture by utilizing hand-trucks and dollies for public/private housing moves
  • Show more

Material handler example responsibilities.

  • Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
  • Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
  • Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
  • Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
  • Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
  • Show more

Mover vs material handler skills

Common mover skills
  • Office Furniture, 40%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Household Goods, 7%
  • Load Trucks, 6%
  • Pallet Jack, 4%
  • Delivery Vehicle, 4%
Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%

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