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Hourly Wage for Materials Handler I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Materials Handler I?

As of January 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Materials Handler I in the United States is $18, which translates to an annual salary of about $37,067.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $20 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $17 to $19 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $15 per hour
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $17 10% $15 90% $20 75% $19 $18 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Materials Handler I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $39,538 $3,295 $760 $19
Average $37,067 $3,089 $713 $18
25th Percentile $34,511 $2,876 $664 $17
Check out Materials Handler I Job Openings in the United States
MATERIALS HANDLER

Department of the Army - LINCOLN, NE

MATERIALS HANDLER

Department of the Army - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Materials Handler

Department of Defense - PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, ME

MATERIALS HANDLER

Department of the Air Force - FORT SMITH, AR

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Key Factors That Influence Materials Handler I Salaries

A Materials Handler I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Materials Handler Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Handler I'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:

  • Materials Handler I (0-1 years): $37,067
  • Materials Handler II (1-3 years): $41,316
  • Materials Handler III (3-5 years): $46,612
  • Materials Handling Supervisor (5+ years): $76,844
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Materials Handler I0-1 years$37,067
Materials Handler II1-3 years$41,316
Materials Handler III3-5 years$46,612
Materials Handling Supervisor5+ years$76,844
$37,067 Materials...
$41,316 Materials...
$46,612 Materials...
$76,844 Materials...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Materials Handler Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $46,753
  • San Francisco: $46,293
  • Oakland: $45,266

What Skills Can Increase a Materials Handler I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.15% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 3.09% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
  • ERP (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.15%
Inventory Control 3.09%
ERP 1.47%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Materials Handler I's salary.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Troubleshooting
 $39,662
7%
Microsoft Office
 $39,291
6%
Hard Working
 $38,920
5%
Leadership
 $38,920
5%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $38,550
4%
Inventory Management
 $38,550
4%
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How Education impacts a Materials Handler I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Materials Handler Is enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Materials Handler I with a No Diploma is between $33,924 and $35,972).

Materials Handler I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Materials Handler I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.7%
High School 67.3%
Associates 11.2%
Bachelors 16.8%
Masters 0.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Materials Handler I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Materials Handler I'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$34,511
Average $37,067/year
$39,538
$2,876
Average $3,089/month
$3,295
$664
Average $713/week
$760
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,538 $3,295 $760 $19
Average $37,067 $3,089 $713 $18
25th Percentile $34,511 $2,876 $664 $17

Salaries of jobs related to Materials Handler I

Most common benefits for Materials Handler I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Materials Handler I

1. What are the responsibilities of Materials Handler I?

Loads and unloads material within a warehouse or storage facility. Utilizes hand trucks, forklifts, hoists, conveyors, or other handling equipment to move material to and from aircraft, trucks or trains and within the storage facility. Has knowledge of commonly-used practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

2. What are the skills of Materials Handler I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.

2.)

Inventory Control: Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.

3.)

ERP: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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