What Is a Material Handler? Duties and Pay

Take a look and see what items you are around or appreciate the device you’re reading this article on. The products themselves and their raw materials were probably made in places all around the world, and each took a different path to get to you. 

That’s all because of material handlers, who play an important role in how warehouses ensure products reach their next destination. 

To learn more about the job, we spoke with Senior Account Manager Joel Bishop who has over eight years of experience in helping people find the right job. Bishop answers the question “what is a material handler?” He also explains the ins and outs of becoming a material handler, their job responsibilities and their career outlook.

What Does a Material Handler Do?

“The basic role of a material handler is to utilize manual or power material handling equipment to pick, sort and place material in a designated location. In most cases, individuals will palletize and stage material for shipment. Or they will receive and stock the inventory,” says Bishop.

Additionally, material handler duties depend on the facility and the products it handles. In a manufacturing plant, you may bring components to a production area. In a distribution center, you might spend more time preparing customer orders for shipment.

A typical material handler job description may include:
● Moving incoming goods from a delivery area to assigned storage locations
● Picking the correct products and quantities for an order
● Packing items or building pallets for shipment
● Checking products for visible damage and reporting discrepancies
● Recording inventory movements with a scanner or computer
● Keeping storage areas and workspaces organized

The details matter. Ask whether you’ll stay in one department or move between receiving and shipping during a shift. Purchasing inventory and supervising other workers may belong to separate roles, so don’t assume they’re part of every material handler job.

“It is imperative that you understand all the responsibilities of a material handler position and how important it is to the business. Material handler roles aren’t black and white, often you are wearing multiple hats and working across different departments,” says Bishop.

Material Handler Salary 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $38,220 in May 2025 for hand laborers and freight, stock and material movers. That is a national occupational benchmark, not a starting salary for every material handler job.

Compare local postings and ask about the base hourly rate. Check whether an advertised figure includes a night-shift premium or depends on equipment experience.

What Equipment Do Material Handlers Use?

Depending on the assignment, you may move goods with a hand truck or pallet jack. Other jobs involve forklifts or working alongside conveyor systems. A handheld scanner can help record where products are stored and confirm that the right items have been selected.

Material handling and forklift operation can overlap, but the titles aren’t interchangeable. A forklift operator’s main responsibility is operating the truck. A material handler may spend much of the shift moving or preparing goods without driving one.

Read the equipment requirements before applying. If a posting names a type of forklift you haven’t used, ask whether training is available. Be specific about the equipment you have operated instead of listing general warehouse experience alone.

Do Material Handlers Need Forklift Certification?

Not every material handler operates a forklift. If the position includes powered industrial truck operation, the employer must ensure that you receive the required training and evaluation and must certify that you’ve completed them.

OSHA requires formal instruction along with practical training and an evaluation of your performance in the workplace. An online course alone does not satisfy all those requirements.

If you’ve operated a forklift before, tell the employer which equipment you used and where you received training. Previous training may count when it is appropriate to the truck and working conditions, but the employer still needs to evaluate your competence. Ask about that process before assuming an existing card is enough.

Do You Need Experience To Become a Material Handler?

You can qualify for some entry-level material handler jobs without previous warehouse experience. Education requirements vary by employer. Some postings ask for a high school diploma or GED, while others have no formal education requirements.

New hires often learn their duties on the job. Training may cover how to locate inventory and record completed work, along with the procedures for handling products safely. Ask who will train you and how the employer determines when you’re ready to work independently.

Experience from another job can still be useful. If you’ve checked deliveries in a retail stockroom or followed order instructions in a restaurant, explain those responsibilities on your application.

Which Material Handler Skills Matter Most?

Attention to detail matters when items look alike or have similar product numbers. Getting the count right helps prevent someone else from having to correct the order later. Basic computer skills can also help when you’re learning an inventory system.

Communication is just as useful. If the quantity in a delivery doesn’t match the paperwork, you need to report it clearly. Following instructions and asking questions when something is unclear are habits you can demonstrate even if this is your first warehouse job.

What Are The Working Conditions Like?

Material handling can involve long periods on your feet and repeated lifting. The pace may increase when shipments arrive or orders need to leave. Some facilities also schedule overnight work or overtime.

Before accepting an offer, ask about lifting requirements and how often you’ll perform those tasks. Find out whether the work area is temperature controlled and what equipment is available to help move loads. Confirm the shift hours and whether overtime is required so you can judge how the job fits your schedule.

Is Material Handling a Good Job?

“Good” is subjective, but a material handling job has some great qualities. The demand for material handlers is forecasted to grow over the next 10 years. The job has many avenues for growth and because so many different industries rely on material handling, the skills and experience are very transferable.

What is the Career Outlook for Material Handlers?

BLS projects 4% employment growth for the broader hand laborers and material movers group from 2025 to 2035. That is growth over the full decade. Local opportunities will depend on the employers hiring near you.

As you gain experience, ask about training for equipment operation or opportunities in inventory control. If you’re interested in leading a team, find out what experience the employer expects from a lead.

Material handling can be an entry point into warehouse operations, inventory management and equipment operation roles. Whether you're looking for your first warehouse job or bringing previous logistics experience, opportunities are available across a range of industries.

Ready to apply? Explore Aerotek’s material handler jobs and talk with a recruiter about openings that match your experience and preferred shift.