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Unloader vs truck loader

The differences between unloaders and truck loaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a truck loader has an average salary of $34,749, which is higher than the $32,885 average annual salary of an unloader.

The top three skills for an unloader include pallets, work ethic and customer service. The most important skills for a truck loader are pallets, load trucks, and electric pallet jack.

Unloader vs truck loader overview

UnloaderTruck Loader
Yearly salary$32,885$34,749
Hourly rate$15.81$16.71
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs63,202100,059
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 60%
Average age4041
Years of experience--

What does an unloader do?

An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.

What does a truck loader do?

Truck loaders provide the necessary workforce in loading items for delivery and logistics. The truck loader focuses on ensuring all items are loaded safely into transport vehicles and on time. This position requires a license to operate heavy equipment such as forklifts and cargo handling machines. It is the responsibility of the truck loader that all materials are safe before delivery and after. There are instances where the loader accompanies the truck driver to the destination to help unload the items.

Unloader vs truck loader salary

Unloaders and truck loaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

UnloaderTruck Loader
Average salary$32,885$34,749
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $28,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityMeridian, IDBoston, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyLand O'LakesKemps
Best paying industryTransportationManufacturing

Differences between unloader and truck loader education

There are a few differences between an unloader and a truck loader in terms of educational background:

UnloaderTruck Loader
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Unloader vs truck loader demographics

Here are the differences between unloaders' and truck loaders' demographics:

UnloaderTruck Loader
Average age4041
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 4.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage5%3%

Differences between unloader and truck loader duties and responsibilities

Unloader example responsibilities.

  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Volunteer work for kohl's cares events.

Truck loader example responsibilities.

  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Load designated items onto a pallet and bring selected items to their designate loading area
  • Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Unloader vs truck loader skills

Common unloader skills
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Tractor Trailer, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common truck loader skills
  • Pallets, 20%
  • Load Trucks, 13%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Hand Trucks, 7%

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