What does a Cargo Handler do?
A cargo handler usually works for airline companies and airports where they are primarily in charge of moving baggage and other cargo, ensuring that they reach their destination timely and accurately. Their job entails operating forklifts or conveyor belts to transport cargo, lifting moderate to heavy packages, labeling or scanning items, and maintaining extensive records. Moreover, a cargo handler must keep an open and transparent communication line with fellow cargo handlers to ensure an accurate and smooth workflow.
Cargo handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cargo handler resumes:
- Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
- Scan and sort packages in hazmat.
- Scan the cargo in using rf scanners
- Utilize RF scanner system to transfer packages onto conveyor system or trailers.
- Pick up packages and letters from FedEx delivery locations for processing and shipping.
- Assist units in preparing documents, certifying vehicles, HAZMAT, and other cargo for air movement.
- Operate MHE (forklifts/aircraft loading equipment) daily in and around warehouse and on restrict flightline areas.
- Operate loader to take cans from dollies and lift them into position to be push onto airplanes.
- Contract by FedEx and the USPS to handle the logistical procurement, transportation, and sorting of postal freight.
- Load and unload freight trucks, scan the freight as it come in and drive the forklifts which carry the freight
- Acquire memorization and distribution skills.
- Collaborate with on-site OSHA officials to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Thrive in this fast-pace environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina.
- Ensure all assign freight packages are sorted and appropriately distribute throughout the hub distribution center within applicable deadlines.
- Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
Cargo handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Cargo Handlers are proficient in Pallets, Safety Policies, and Quality Standards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Cargo Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 26%
Determined and implemented necessary safety and security precautions for 463L pallets.
- Safety Policies, 16%
Comply with all operational security and safety policies, procedures and processes.
- Quality Standards, 12%
Verified documentation and condition of freight to assure quality standards were achieved.
- Unload Trailers, 10%
Load & unload trailers using a forklift.
- FAA, 9%
Obtained security clearance to work in FAA high security areas of the Fort Wayne Intl.
- Hub, 7%
Ensured all assigned freight packages were sorted and appropriately distributed throughout the hub distribution center within applicable deadlines.
Most cargo handlers use their skills in "pallets," "safety policies," and "quality standards" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential cargo handler responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a cargo handler to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Cargo handlers often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "pick up order tickets from the front office, locate shipments on pallets and load customers class a truck. "
Listening skills. Many cargo handler duties rely on listening skills. "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them.," so a cargo handler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways cargo handler responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated with international agents to determine the lease date of cargo containers. "
Physical stamina. cargo handlers are also known for physical stamina, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to cargo handler responsibilities, because "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." A cargo handler resume example shows how physical stamina is used in the workplace: "possess the necessary strength and stamina to load, unload and sort packages. "
Physical strength. A big part of what cargo handlers do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to cargo handler responsibilities because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical cargo handler tasks: "demonstrated a strong work ethic in a harsh working environment, which included extreme temperatures and strenuous physical activities. "
The three companies that hire the most cargo handlers are:
- AAmazon443 cargo handlers jobs
- FForward Air93 cargo handlers jobs
- MMenzies Aviation22 cargo handlers jobs
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Compare different cargo handlers
Cargo handler vs. Freight team associate
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cargo handlers and freight team associate. For instance, cargo handler responsibilities require skills such as "pallets," "safety policies," "quality standards," and "unload trailers." Whereas a freight team associate is skilled in "sales floor," "customer service," "electric pallet jack," and "store shelves." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Freight team associates tend to reach similar levels of education than cargo handlers. In fact, freight team associates are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Cargo handler vs. Dock worker
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cargo handler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "quality standards," "faa," "hub," and "label boxes." Meanwhile, a dock worker has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety rules," "tractor trailer," "ltl," and "basic math." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, dock workers earn a higher salary than cargo handlers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, dock workers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,927. Whereas cargo handlers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $34,551.In general, dock workers achieve similar levels of education than cargo handlers. They're 0.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cargo handler vs. Loader/unloader
Stock unloaders are workers in charge of unloading goods and items from the truck into the store. The unloaders move the products in a warehouse, distribution center, or any industrial facility. They stock the shelves in stores, work with the general merchandise team, and clean the processing center. It is also their responsibility to enforce procedures and policies for departmental operations. The skills necessary to carry out this job include strong communication skills, leadership, and attention to detail.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a cargo handler is likely to be skilled in "safety policies," "quality standards," "faa," and "hub," while a typical loader/unloader is skilled in "electric pallet jack," "tractor trailer," "unload trucks," and "hand trucks."
Loader/unloaders earn the highest salary when working in the transportation industry, where they receive an average salary of $34,552. Comparatively, cargo handlers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $34,551.Most loader/unloaders achieve a similar degree level compared to cargo handlers. For example, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cargo handler vs. Stock unloader
Types of cargo handler
Updated January 8, 2025
