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.
Package handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real package handler resumes:
- 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.
- Direct and escort customers to fed ex checkout stations, and customer service windows.
- Operate loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialize material handling equipment.
- Transport materials, equipment, or supplies to or from work areas, using carts or hoists
- Exercise great care and attention to detail and policy to ensure safe delivery of HAZMAT packages.
- Identify, handle and assist with processing of HazMat within aircraft containers, and feeder trucks.
- Unload boxes from fed ex trucks at the San Diego airport arrivals to conveyor belt for distribution.
- Load and unload grocery freight with single & double pallet jacks, box clamp, slip machines, and electric forklift.
- Work in a hospital kitchen plating and delivering food to patients, cleaning, and adhering to food service policies.
- Build pallets according to distribution instructions.
Package handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Package Handlers are proficient in Warehouse Environment, Load Trailers, and Delivery Truck. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical stamina, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Package Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Warehouse Environment, 25%
Experience in a warehouse environment that included successful delivery and transfer of goods to its intended destination.
- Load Trailers, 10%
Load trailers for maximum efficiency * New Hire Mentor and Safety Committee Representative
- Delivery Truck, 9%
Stacked boxes swiftly but effectively from conveyor belt onto delivery trucks while demonstrating company-taught techniques and safety regulations.
- Safety Procedures, 9%
Ensured proper handling and safety procedures were followed by individuals assigned to area.
- Load Packages, 8%
Unload packages safely according to specifications and assist team members in achieving throughput production.
- Load Trucks, 7%
Load and unload trucks with forklift also package and wrap pallets and to pick orders for shipment in a fast paced environment
Most package handlers use their skills in "warehouse environment," "load trailers," and "delivery truck" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential package handler responsibilities here:
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a package handler to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Additionally, a package handler resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "communicated all package handling issues to a warehouse supervisor. "
Physical stamina. Many package handler duties rely on physical stamina. "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day.," so a package handler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways package handler responsibilities rely on physical stamina: "thrived in this fast-paced environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for package handlers to perform their duties. For an example of how package handler responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a package handler: "trained in hazmat procedures and physical well-being for optimal physical duty. ".
Customer-service skills. package handler responsibilities often require "customer-service skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." This resume example shows what package handlers do with customer-service skills on a typical day: "loaded outbound trucks with customer packages while ensuring the correct zip code for that destination. "
Hand-eye coordination. Another common skill required for package handler responsibilities is "hand-eye coordination." This skill comes up in the duties of package handlers all the time, as "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." An excerpt from a real package handler resume shows how this skill is central to what a package handler does: "worked as team to process usps priority mail used data entry in coordination with package handling"
The three companies that hire the most package handlers are:
Choose from 10+ customizable package handler resume templates
Build a professional package handler resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your package handler resume.
Compare different package handlers
Package handler vs. Sorter
A sorter is responsible for categorizing items after the production process. Sorters duties include utilizing factory equipment to sort products efficiently, monitor and exclude defective items, maintain a clean and organized production area, assist in loading and unloading items, perform repairs on malfunctioning equipment, and examine inventories requesting necessary supplies, and adhering to the safety protocols and regulatory procedures. Sorters must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, as well as in-depth product knowledge to classify items accordingly.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, package handler responsibilities require skills like "load trailers," "load packages," "supply support," and "rf." Meanwhile a typical sorter has skills in areas such as "customer orders," "recyclable materials," "aided design," and "electric pallet jack." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Sorters tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,377. In contrast, package handlers make the biggest average salary, $38,714, in the retail industry.The education levels that sorters earn slightly differ from package handlers. In particular, sorters are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a package handler. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Package handler vs. Mover
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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that package handler responsibilities requires skills like "warehouse environment," "load trailers," "delivery truck," and "safety procedures." But a mover might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "office furniture," "customer service," "household goods," and "office equipment."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Movers tend to reach similar levels of education than package handlers. In fact, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Package handler vs. Dock worker/forklift operator
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a package handler is likely to be skilled in "warehouse environment," "load packages," "supply support," and "rf," while a typical dock worker/forklift operator is skilled in "basic math," "math," "pallets," and "work ethic."
Dock worker/forklift operators earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $40,605. Package handlers earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $38,714.When it comes to education, dock worker/forklift operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to package handlers. In fact, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Package handler vs. Loader/unloader
Types of package handler
Updated January 8, 2025
