Package handler ups vs driver/material handler

The differences between package handlers ups 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 $32,276 average annual salary of a package handler ups.

The top three skills for a package handler ups include tractor trailer, safety procedures and delivery truck. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.

Package handler ups vs driver/material handler overview

	Package Handler UPS	Driver/Material Handler
Yearly salary	$32,276	$36,219
Hourly rate	$15.52	$17.41
Growth rate	6%	7%
Number of jobs	80,442	198,718
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	43
Years of experience	-	4

What does a package handler ups do?

The primary job of package handlers is to assemble, seal, and load packages. They are responsible for tracking package information using scanners and sorting parcels according to destination. Other duties and responsibilities may include complying with the company standards for safe package handling, unloading delivery trucks, and following the established guidelines for postal routing. This position requires an eye for detail, ability to follow instructions, and knowledge of equipment and hand-tools such as conveyor belts and forklifts. A few requirements are needed for this role, including a high school diploma, driver's license, and ability to lift heavy items.

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 ups vs driver/material handler salary

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

	Package Handler UPS	Driver/Material Handler
Average salary	$32,276	$36,219
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $28,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Clara, CA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Merck
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between package handler ups and driver/material handler education

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

	Package Handler UPS	Driver/Material Handler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Package handler ups vs driver/material handler demographics

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

	Package Handler UPS	Driver/Material Handler
Average age	40	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 6.0% White, 56.6% 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 Percentage	5%	4%

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

Package handler ups example responsibilities.

Unload air shipping containers, operate mechanical equipment, train on handling HAZMAT packages.
Load and unload material (s) on pallets, trucks, handcarts, and dollies.
Lay tracks for camera dollies and cranes and carry or push dollies and cranes as instructed.
Thrive in this fast-pace environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina.
Used heavy duty industrial washers and dryers.
Monitor and adjust the grain tower dryer.

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.

Package handler ups vs driver/material handler skills

Common package handler ups skills

Tractor Trailer, 24%
Safety Procedures, 18%
Delivery Truck, 15%
Conveyor Belts, 11%
Inventory Control Procedures, 5%
Store Materials, 4%

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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Package Handler UPS
Package Handler UPS vs Driver/Material Handler

Updated January 8, 2025

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