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Material Handler Loader Salary in the United States

How much does a Material Handler Loader make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Material Handler Loader in the United States is $44,696 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,305
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,544 to $50,249
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,674
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Material Handler Loader Salaries

A Material Handler Loader'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 Material Handler Loader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Material Handler Loader'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $43,748
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,288
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $46,084
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,329
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,738
Levels Salary
Entry Level Material Handler Loader$43,748
Intermediate Level Material Handler Loader$44,288
Senior Level Material Handler Loader$46,084
Specialist Level Material Handler Loader$46,329
Expert Level Material Handler Loader$46,738
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How Do Material Handler Loader 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 Material Handler Loaders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $49,487.
  • California: $49,300.
  • Massachusetts: $48,643.

Top Paying Cities for Material Handler Loaders

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: $56,375
  • San Francisco: $55,758
  • Oakland: $54,583

What Skills Can Increase a Material Handler Loader's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.76% 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.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Packaging 3.24%
Work Ethic 2.59%
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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 Material Handler Loader's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $54,082
21%
Hydraulics $50,506
13%
Presentation $47,825
7%
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Material Handler Loader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Material Handler Loader roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Material Handler Loader positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Material Handler Loader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Material Handler Loader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,574$30.040%
Aerospace & Defense$60,339$29.035%
Biotechnology$58,105$28.030%
Financial Services$55,870$27.025%
Insurance$53,635$26.020%

How Education impacts a Material Handler Loader's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Material Handler Loaders 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 Material Handler Loader with a No Diploma is between $32,956 and $35,920).

Material Handler Loader Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Material Handler Loader
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.0%
High School 74.6%
Associates 7.5%
Bachelors 8.0%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Material Handler Loader Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Material Handler Loader'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
$41,544
Average $44,696/year
$50,249
$3,462
Average $3,725/month
$4,187
$799
Average $860/week
$966
$20
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $50,249 $4,187 $966 $24
Average $44,696 $3,725 $860 $21
25th Percentile $41,544 $3,462 $799 $20

Most common benefits for Material Handler Loader

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

Common company salaries for Material Handler Loader

Here are companies hiring for Material Handler Loader and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Material Handler Loader

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Material Handler Loader?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Material Handler Loader roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.

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