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Warehouse loader vs unloader

The differences between warehouse loaders and unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouse loader has an average salary of $33,496, which is higher than the $32,885 average annual salary of an unloader.

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

Warehouse loader vs unloader overview

Warehouse LoaderUnloader
Yearly salary$33,496$32,885
Hourly rate$16.10$15.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs103,23263,202
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 59%
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 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.

Warehouse loader vs unloader salary

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

Warehouse LoaderUnloader
Average salary$33,496$32,885
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySaint Cloud, MNMeridian, ID
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyDeWitt LLP Law FirmLand O'Lakes
Best paying industryEducationTransportation

Differences between warehouse loader and unloader education

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

Warehouse LoaderUnloader
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Warehouse loader vs unloader demographics

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

Warehouse LoaderUnloader
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.5% Female, 7.5%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
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, 14.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between warehouse loader and unloader 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

Unloader example responsibilities.

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

Warehouse loader vs unloader skills

Common warehouse loader skills
  • Pallets, 28%
  • Loaders, 7%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Orders, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%
Common unloader skills
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Tractor Trailer, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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