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The differences between packer/shippers and loader/unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loader/unloader has an average salary of $31,827, which is higher than the $31,596 average annual salary of a packer/shipper.
The top three skills for a packer/shipper include defective products, package orders and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.
| Packer/Shipper | Loader/Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $31,596 | $31,827 |
| Hourly rate | $15.19 | $15.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 17,034 | 67,063 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The role of packers/shippers is to prepare products for shipping. They are responsible for labeling, packing, cleaning, and maintaining shipping containers. Also, they are accountable for preventing things from being damaged. A few skills packers/shippers should have to accomplish these responsibilities include hand-eye coordination, customer service skills, and attention to detail. One should also have a college degree to become a successful packer/shipper.
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.
Packer/shippers and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packer/Shipper | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average salary | $31,596 | $31,827 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $38,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chelmsford, MA | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | L3Harris | Bunge |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a packer/shipper and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:
| Packer/Shipper | Loader/Unloader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packer/shippers' and loader/unloaders' demographics:
| Packer/Shipper | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.7% Female, 50.3% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 14.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 5% |