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Truck unloader vs material handler

The differences between truck unloaders and material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material handler has an average salary of $33,215, which is higher than the $32,543 average annual salary of a truck unloader.

The top three skills for a truck unloader include electric pallet jack, pallets and sales floor. The most important skills for a material handler are pallets, basic math, and forklifts.

Truck unloader vs material handler overview

Truck UnloaderMaterial Handler
Yearly salary$32,543$33,215
Hourly rate$15.65$15.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs42,020174,068
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 63%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Truck unloader vs material handler salary

Truck unloaders and material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Truck UnloaderMaterial Handler
Average salary$32,543$33,215
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaMinnesota
Best paying companyOriental TradingBattelle
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between truck unloader and material handler education

There are a few differences between a truck unloader and a material handler in terms of educational background:

Truck UnloaderMaterial Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 63%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Truck unloader vs material handler demographics

Here are the differences between truck unloaders' and material handlers' demographics:

Truck UnloaderMaterial Handler
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 85.1% Female, 14.9%Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.0% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between truck unloader and material handler duties and responsibilities

Truck unloader example responsibilities.

  • Used jigs, torches, jacks, wedges, tumbuckles, hoists, cranes, drift pins, pry bars.
  • Stock floor according to current store map, utilize RF scanner for inventory database.
  • Replenish stock on floor and back-stock material (using RF device to record location).
  • Secure newly organize pallets utilizing shrink wrap.
  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.

Material handler example responsibilities.

  • Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
  • Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
  • Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
  • Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
  • Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
  • Show more

Truck unloader vs material handler skills

Common truck unloader skills
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 24%
  • Pallets, 19%
  • Sales Floor, 16%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Stock Shelves, 8%
  • Stock Merchandise, 7%
Common material handler skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Forklifts, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%

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