As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Materials Handler in the United States is $41,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, an Intermediate Materials Handler's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
An Intermediate Materials Handler's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Materials Handler's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Materials Handler | 0-1 years | $37,050 |
| Intermediate Materials Handler | 1-3 years | $41,327 |
| Forklift/Jack Materials Handler III | 3-5 years | $46,645 |
| Materials Load Planning Supervisor | 5+ years | $76,992 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate Materials Handlers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 6.83% |
| Housekeeping | 3.86% |
| Warehouse Management | 1.82% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Presentation
|
$45,050 |
9%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$43,397 |
5%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$42,983 |
4%
|
|
Standard Operating Procedures
|
$42,983 |
4%
|
|
Leadership
|
$42,983 |
4%
|
|
Dedication
|
$42,570 |
3%
|
Intermediate Materials Handler salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $46,267. While startup companies pay approximate $39,140.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $39,140 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $41,396 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $44,679 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $46,267 |
For Intermediate Materials Handler roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Materials Handler positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Materials Handler as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $49,596 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $49,596 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $49,596 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $49,596 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $49,596 | $24.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Materials Handlers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Materials Handler with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $40,241 and $42,725).
Intermediate Materials Handler Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 7.5% |
| High School | 60.0% |
| Associates | 25.0% |
| Bachelors | 7.5% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Materials Handler's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For an Intermediate Materials Handler, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Forklift/Jack Materials Handler III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $46,700 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.
Salaries for an Intermediate Materials Handler can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,538 in 2023 to around $44,200 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Materials Handler salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $44,538 |
| 2024 | $44,500 |
| 2025 | $44,200 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Intermediate Materials Handler and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Materials Handler job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Materials Handler roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Most material handler positions don't require a college degree, but a high school diploma or GED is often needed. About 20% of material handlers have an associate degree. Special certifications in HAZMAT and inventory management software can enhance your job prospects. Salaries for Intermediate Materials Handlers range from $38,430 to $47,960, with a median of $42,690.
A material handler and a warehouse worker have similar roles, but they are not exactly the same. Material handlers focus on moving, loading, and unloading materials, while warehouse workers may have broader responsibilities, including inventory management and order fulfillment. The salary for an Intermediate Materials Handler ranges from $38,430 to $47,960, with a midpoint of $42,690.
Material handlers in the US typically earn between $38,430 and $47,960 annually. The average salary is approximately $42,690, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the compensation for this role based on current salary data.
Material handler positions can be considered entry-level jobs, as they typically require minimal experience. Candidates should possess physical strength and stamina to move products effectively. While some roles may ask for a GED or high school diploma, the salary range for intermediate material handlers is between $38,430 and $47,960, with a midpoint of $42,690.
A material handler is not exclusively a forklift driver, but forklift operation is a key part of material handling. Material handlers may use various equipment, including forklifts, to move products. The salary for an Intermediate Materials Handler ranges from $38,430 to $47,960, with a midpoint of $42,690.
Professional Intermediate Materials Handlers earn an annual salary ranging from $38,430 to $47,960, with a mid-salary of $42,690. This reflects a competitive wage compared to other handling professions, ensuring a solid income for skilled workers in this field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
