Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Materials Handler III Salary in the United States

How much does a Materials Handler III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Materials Handler III in the United States is $46,650 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Materials Handler III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,770
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,235 to $51,424
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,126
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Materials Handler III Salaries

A Materials Handler III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Handler III'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): $37,047
  • Materials Handler II (1-3 years): $41,328
  • Materials Handler III (3-5 years): $46,650
  • Materials Handling Supervisor (5+ years): $77,013
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Materials Handler I0-1 years$37,047
Materials Handler II1-3 years$41,328
Materials Handler III3-5 years$46,650
Materials Handling Supervisor5+ years$77,013
View as Graph

How Do Materials Handler III Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Materials Handler IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $51,651.
  • California: $51,455.
  • Massachusetts: $50,769.

Top Paying Cities for Materials Handler IIIs

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: $58,840
  • San Francisco: $58,195
  • Oakland: $56,969

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.4% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 3.31% 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 1.57% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.4%
Inventory Control 3.31%
ERP 1.57%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $51,782
11%
Coordination $49,916
7%
Communicates Effectively $49,916
7%
Get Latest Data

Materials Handler III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Materials Handler III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,133. While startup companies pay approximate $44,099.

Materials Handler III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,099
Growth Stage 51~500 $46,640
Established 501~5000 $50,341
Enterprise 5000+ $52,133

Materials Handler III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Materials Handler III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Materials Handler positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Materials Handler III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Materials Handler III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$55,980$27.020%
Pharmaceuticals$55,980$27.020%
Construction$53,647$26.015%
Aerospace & Defense$51,315$25.010%
Media$51,315$25.010%

How Education impacts a Materials Handler III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Materials Handler III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Materials Handler III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $45,882 and $48,566.

Materials Handler III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Materials Handler III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 76.4%
Associates 12.7%
Bachelors 9.1%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Materials Handler III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Materials Handler III'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 September 01, 2026
$43,235
Average $46,650/year
$51,424
$3,603
Average $3,888/month
$4,285
$831
Average $897/week
$989
$21
Average $22/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,424 $4,285 $989 $25
Average $46,650 $3,888 $897 $22
25th Percentile $43,235 $3,603 $831 $21

Materials Handler III Salary Growth & Career Path

Materials Handler III

Next Role

For a Materials Handler III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Materials Handling Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $77,013 - a projected growth of 65% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Materials Handler III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Materials Handler III

Here are companies hiring for Materials Handler III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Materials Handler III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Materials Handler III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Materials Handler III

1. Where can a Materials Handler III earn the most?

A Materials Handler III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Materials Handler III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Materials Handler III is $58,840.

2. What is the highest pay for Materials Handler III?

The highest pay for Materials Handler III is $55,770.

3. What is the lowest pay for Materials Handler III?

The lowest pay for Materials Handler III is $40,126.

4. What are the responsibilities of Materials Handler III?

Responsible for the loading and unloading of materials 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. Records flow information of materials and products and ensures the accuracy. May assist in the training of lower level material handlers. May provide training to lower level material handlers. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Materials Handler III?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Materials Handler III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job