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What is a freight handler and how to become one
Freight handlers manage the coming in and going out of large trucks containing items for storage or delivery. They assist truck drivers into and out of loading docks by guiding them. They may also spearhead the installation of other items that may help guide these drivers.
They also take care of the loading and unloading of the items in the trucks. They check these items and ensure that they are correct before clearing them for storage or for departure from the warehouse. Sometimes, they may also assist in maintaining the systems in the warehouse to ensure that everything is in order. They may also help in managing the maintenance and the cleanliness of the whole place.
Freight handlers should be able to work with heavy equipment and should know how to operate large vehicles as well. In this job, you need to have a presence of mind, strong organization skills, and good interpersonal skills. In terms of educational background, a high school diploma or a GED would be enough. However, a certification in operating forklifts may also be required.
Avg. Salary $35,944
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 6%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.12%
Asian 5.15%
Black or African American 13.58%
Hispanic or Latino 19.85%
Unknown 5.26%
White 55.03%
Genderfemale 11.79%
male 88.21%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Freight Handler career paths
Key steps to become a freight handler
Explore freight handler education requirements
Start to develop specific freight handler skills
Skills 
Percentages Basic Math 27.58% Pallets 20.74% Math 11.53% Hazardous Materials 10.28% Manual Equipment 7.17% Complete relevant freight handler training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New freight handlers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a freight handler based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real freight handler resumes.Research freight handler duties and responsibilities
- Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
- Dock work then get CDL and then go to the road
- Work on the dock loading and unloading truck and backup CDL driver.
- Ship order via FedEx on a daily basis and perform an inventory and cycle count when need.
Prepare your freight handler resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your freight handler resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a freight handler resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Freight Handler Resume templates
Build a professional Freight Handler resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Freight Handler resume.
Apply for freight handler jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a freight handler job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Freight Handler Job
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Average freight handler salary
The average Freight Handler salary in the United States is $35,944 per year or $17 per hour. Freight handler salaries range between $28,000 and $44,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do freight handlers rate their job?
Freight Handler reviews
It saves time and makes work easier and enhance greater output
Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to.
Not being able to learn where every part goes to. For instance parts that go to a furnace, train, or a converter.
Updated January 8, 2025
