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Package handler vs driver/material handler

The differences between package handlers and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a driver/material handler has an average salary of $36,219, which is higher than the $32,785 average annual salary of a package handler.

The top three skills for a package handler include warehouse environment, load trailers and delivery truck. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.

Package handler vs driver/material handler overview

Package HandlerDriver/Material Handler
Yearly salary$32,785$36,219
Hourly rate$15.76$17.41
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs93,831198,718
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4043
Years of experience-4

What does a package handler do?

A package handler's primary duty is to place and load correct packages to delivery vehicles and review inventory upon shipments. Package handlers are responsible for analyzing product labels to make sure that the items are accurately processed. A package handler should also have basic knowledge on running warehouse equipment and loading tools to finish the task more efficiently. Package handlers must be able to communicate with other personnel for any concerns that might affect the parcel condition and customer's satisfaction.

What does a driver/material handler do?

Primarily, driver/material handlers help maintain the production and distribution of products through inventory pullout, production materials, and supplies delivery, and finished product staging. Material handlers manage the transport of equipment or ammunition and conduct the planning and execution functions for effective grind force training. They pick and audit hazmat materials and deliver them to their customers. Also, they develop and expedite clear and effective communication with their customers.

Package handler vs driver/material handler salary

Package handlers and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Package HandlerDriver/Material Handler
Average salary$32,785$36,219
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $41,000Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaHawaii
Best paying companyALDI USAMerck
Best paying industryRetailAutomotive

Differences between package handler and driver/material handler education

There are a few differences between a package handler and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:

Package HandlerDriver/Material Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Package handler vs driver/material handler demographics

Here are the differences between package handlers' and driver/material handlers' demographics:

Package HandlerDriver/Material Handler
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 74.4% Female, 25.6%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%4%

Differences between package handler and driver/material handler duties and responsibilities

Package handler example responsibilities.

  • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
  • Read GPS maps for your driving directions.
  • Operate sit down forklift for loading, unloading and running material.
  • License to operate MHE (forklifts, tractors, etc . )
  • Load grind and air shipments onto designate trailers using sit down forklift.
  • Conduct post inspections to ensure guard force personnel proficiency and level of alertness.
    • Show more

Driver/material handler example responsibilities.

  • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
  • Load and unload LTL freight from inbound and outbound trailers.
  • Operate forklifts in transferring loading and unloading materials in LTL.
  • Pick and audit hazmat and international orders.
  • Handle emergency hazmat situations requiring quick decision making skills.
  • Stack and move pallets from different lines with different products documenting quantity and quality while participating in a team environment.
    • Show more

Package handler vs driver/material handler skills

Common package handler skills
  • Warehouse Environment, 25%
  • Load Trailers, 10%
  • Delivery Truck, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Load Packages, 8%
  • Load Trucks, 7%
Common driver/material handler skills
  • CDL, 21%
  • Customer Orders, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Pallets, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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