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What does a truck unloader do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Truck unloader responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real truck unloader resumes:

  • 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.

Truck unloader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Truck Unloaders are proficient in Electric Pallet Jack, Pallets, and Sales Floor. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Truck Unloaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Electric Pallet Jack, 24%

    Used electric pallet jack, unloaded trucks, organized and stacked pallets, organized and stacked merchandise and inventory.

  • Pallets, 19%

    Unloaded goods from trucks onto pallets and delivered them to their addresses in warehouse storage using forklifts and pallet jacks.

  • Sales Floor, 16%

    Stock sales floor with fresh produce, cull the produce area to ensure fresh product is on the floor for purchase.

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Managed customer service, responsible for daily deposits at financial institutions.

  • Stock Shelves, 8%

    Unloaded trucks as they come organize product in the back move product to the floor stock shelves with product

  • Stock Merchandise, 7%

    Help with team to unload truck daily, then, stock merchandise accordingly.

Most truck unloaders use their skills in "electric pallet jack," "pallets," and "sales floor" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential truck unloader responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a truck unloader to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what truck unloaders do because "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Additionally, a truck unloader resume shows how truck unloaders use customer-service skills: "unload truck, stock merchandise, run forklift, help customers, load merchandise for customers, maintain forklift and cherry picker"

Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform truck unloader duties is listening skills. Truck unloaders responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Truck unloaders also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "responded to customer service issues and requests communicated shipment issues to management"

Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of truck unloaders is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday truck unloader duties, as "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "inventory control and physical inventory of goods. "

All truck unloader skills

The three companies that hire the most truck unloaders are:

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Compare different truck unloaders

Truck unloader vs. Material handler

Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.

If we compare the average truck unloader annual salary with that of a material handler, we find that material handlers typically earn a $672 higher salary than truck unloaders make annually.Even though truck unloaders and material handlers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require electric pallet jack, pallets, and customer service in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between truck unloaders and material handler. For instance, truck unloader responsibilities require skills such as "sales floor," "stock shelves," "stock merchandise," and "semi trucks." Whereas a material handler is skilled in "basic math," "forklifts," "math," and "hand tools." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Material handlers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,166. Comparatively, truck unloaders tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $37,090.material handlers tend to reach similar levels of education than truck unloaders. In fact, material handlers are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Truck unloader vs. Freight team associate

A warehouseman or warehouse worker is the person who assists with the inventory, shipping, and receiving of items in warehouses. Warehousemen receive and process incoming materials and stocks, along with picking and filling orders from the store. They manage, organize, and retrieve supplies and others. These workers need to have skills in speed, accuracy, and prioritizing tasks on site. They should also be equipped with skills in forklift, loading, and general labor.

A career as a freight team associate brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a truck unloader. In fact, freight team associates salary is $355 lower than the salary of truck unloaders per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both truck unloaders and freight team associates have skills such as "electric pallet jack," "sales floor," and "customer service. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, truck unloader responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pallets," "safety regulations," "semi trucks," and "load trucks." Meanwhile, a freight team associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "store shelves," "forklifts," "customer demand," and "safety procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Freight team associates earn similar levels of education than truck unloaders in general. They're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Truck unloader vs. Warehouseman

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.

An average warehouseman eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of truck unloaders. The difference in salaries amounts to warehousemen earning a $3,479 higher average salary than truck unloaders.By looking over several truck unloaders and warehousemen resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "electric pallet jack," "pallets," and "safety regulations." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from truck unloader resumes include skills like "sales floor," "customer service," "stock shelves," and "stock merchandise," whereas a warehouseman is more likely to list skills in "basic math," "forklift operation," "safety rules," and "logistics. "

Most warehousemen achieve a similar degree level compared to truck unloaders. For example, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Truck unloader vs. Package handler ups

Package handlers ups average a lower salary than the annual salary of truck unloaders. The difference is about $267 per year.According to resumes from truck unloaders and package handlers ups, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "delivery truck," "semi trucks," and "assembly line. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between truck unloaders and package handlers ups, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a truck unloader might have more use for skills like "electric pallet jack," "pallets," "sales floor," and "customer service." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of package handlers ups require skills like "tractor trailer," "safety procedures," "conveyor belts," and "inventory control procedures. "

The average resume of package handlers ups showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to truck unloaders. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of truck unloader

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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