Munitions handler vs merchandise handler

The differences between munitions handlers and merchandise handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a munitions handler has an average salary of $36,205, which is higher than the $31,855 average annual salary of a merchandise handler.

The top three skills for a munitions handler include safety standards, hoists and hazardous materials. The most important skills for a merchandise handler are basic math, math, and pallets.

Munitions handler vs merchandise handler overview

	Munitions Handler	Merchandise Handler
Yearly salary	$36,205	$31,855
Hourly rate	$17.41	$15.31
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	25,954	47,657
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Munitions handler vs merchandise handler salary

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

	Munitions Handler	Merchandise Handler
Average salary	$36,205	$31,855
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $44,000	Between $26,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	-	Taunton, MA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	The RealReal
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between munitions handler and merchandise handler education

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

	Munitions Handler	Merchandise Handler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Munitions handler vs merchandise handler demographics

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

	Munitions Handler	Merchandise Handler
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1%	Male, 60.3% Female, 39.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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	5%	5%

Differences between munitions handler and merchandise handler duties and responsibilities

Munitions handler example responsibilities.

Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
Operate ACAMS (gas chromatographs) to verify munitions, containers, and waste are agent-free.
Operate ACAMS and (gas chromatographs) to verify munitions, containers, and waste are agent free.
Band demilitarize rounds to pallets while wearing the proper PPE.
Operate material handling equipment, i.e., electric vehicles, forklifts, pallet trucks, and cranes.
Perform toxic area entries in various levels of PPE.

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.

Munitions handler vs merchandise handler skills

Common munitions handler skills

Safety Standards, 18%
Hoists, 11%
Hazardous Materials, 10%
MHE, 9%
Cranes, 8%
Pallets, 8%

Common merchandise handler skills

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

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Munitions Handler
Munitions Handler vs Merchandise Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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