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Warehouse loader vs dock worker

The differences between warehouse loaders and dock workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock worker has an average salary of $36,027, which is higher than the $33,496 average annual salary of a warehouse loader.

The top three skills for a warehouse loader include pallets, loaders and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a dock worker are safety rules, tractor trailer, and LTL.

Warehouse loader vs dock worker overview

Warehouse LoaderDock Worker
Yearly salary$33,496$36,027
Hourly rate$16.10$17.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs103,232119,104
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a warehouse loader do?

This individual works as part of a team to ensure all the loading processes are carried out efficiently. Their responsibility is to maintain the inventory of the warehouse or shipping operation they work with. They are primarily expected to load and unload trucks and to operate machinery such as forklifts or shrink-wrap machines. Furthermore, they may have to keep records of items loaded and unloaded in the warehouse and process items. In some cases, they are also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the warehouse.

What does a dock worker do?

People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.

Warehouse loader vs dock worker salary

Warehouse loaders and dock workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Warehouse LoaderDock Worker
Average salary$33,496$36,027
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $40,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySaint Cloud, MNCoon Rapids, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyDeWitt LLP Law FirmDairy Farmers of America
Best paying industryEducationManufacturing

Differences between warehouse loader and dock worker education

There are a few differences between a warehouse loader and a dock worker in terms of educational background:

Warehouse LoaderDock Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Warehouse loader vs dock worker demographics

Here are the differences between warehouse loaders' and dock workers' demographics:

Warehouse LoaderDock Worker
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.5% Female, 7.5%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between warehouse loader and dock worker duties and responsibilities

Warehouse loader example responsibilities.

  • Reconfigure WMS to manage company's new multi-brand strategy.
  • Utilize an RF (radio frequency) gun to locate the product.
  • Train newly hire warehouse dock loaders on all safety regulations and standard operating procedures.
  • Load all trucks including bulk trucks and side loaders.
  • Follow OSHA regulations to maintain a safe work environment.
  • Verify orders are selected and load properly using RF scanner.
  • Show more

Dock worker example responsibilities.

  • Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
  • Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
  • Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
  • Print BOL for daily deliveries.
  • Use RF scanning system to select orders.
  • Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
  • Show more

Warehouse loader vs dock worker skills

Common warehouse loader skills
  • Pallets, 28%
  • Loaders, 7%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Orders, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%
Common dock worker skills
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Tractor Trailer, 8%
  • LTL, 8%
  • Unload Trailers, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Dock Equipment, 5%

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