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Material handlers are essential in manufacturing, retail and wholesale enterprises, the building trades, trucking, transportation, and warehousing. Material handlers typically work in a warehouse setting or production facility.

While your specific role and duties will vary based on the company you work for and the products being shipped and produced, your main role involves loading and unloading materials from trucks and ensuring they are in the right location. Some workers in this field are called longshoremen and may also have other job titles.

The entry level wage for material handlers in Canada ranges from $13 to $15 per hour, or $27,000 to $31,000 annually. Material handler salaries can reach as high as $20 per hour with 5+ years of experience, or up to $45,000 annually.

You may be able to make additional money by taking on additional responsibilities such as becoming shift foreman. You may also be able to earn shift premiums by working nights or weekends. Certain regions in Canada also may pay higher, and you may be able to start at a higher entry level salary if you have in-demand skills and experience.

Material handlers must be able to follow directions and communicate clearly with other departments and workers. Ideal candidates to be Material Handlers have good organizational skills, which are crucial to delivering the right materials to the warehouse and later retrieving them for use or shipping. Since many Material Handlers use a forklift, crane, or other machinery, accurate spatial perception is also important.

To get considered for a position, the following skills and attributes are an asset:

• ability to follow directions
• physical strength and endurance
• work under tight deadlines
• organization and time management skills
• analyzing information and data
• data entry skills
• proficient with inventory management software and tracking devices

Employment prospects in this field in Canada remain steady and will be for the foreseeable future. Material handlers can advance to lateral or supervisory positions in the warehouse or to other positions that may require additional training on machines used in the industry. Some material handlers specialize in working in a specific industry or type of warehouse/production facility.

Employers, need material handling personnel? We can match you with trained, experienced personnel who'll keep your products moving. Find out how we can help with your recruitment strategy.