Material Handler

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Work Tasks

• Load, unload, and move materials
• Move parts and finished goods between work areas, storage areas, and loading docks
• Sort materials and get them ready for delivery
• Stock store shelves, bag groceries, carry things to cars, and bring shopping carts back to the store
• Work inside for factories, plants, grocery stores, and warehouses; and outside for construction firms, and shipping, lumber, and railroad companies
• Work with various goods and materials, forklifts, dollies, hand trucks, cranes, hoists, pallets, bins, crates, cartons, strapping, padding, and hand tools

Salary, Size & Growth

• $30,000 average per year ($14.50 per hour)
• A very large occupation (3,044,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (0.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A high school diploma and able to do heavy work.