Updated April 25, 2024
7 min read
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
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Dock worker responsibilities
Dock workers play a vital role in the transportation industry. They are responsible for loading and unloading freight from one trailer to another, often using equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks. They also ensure that hazardous materials are properly labeled and handled. In addition, dock workers are tasked with sorting, distributing, and tracking packages, as well as conducting safety inspections and adhering to safety regulations. Their work ethic and ability to exceed expectations are often recognized and appreciated.
Here are examples of responsibilities from real dock worker resumes:
- Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
- Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
- Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
- Print BOL for daily deliveries.
- Use RF scanning system to select orders.
- Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
- Operate hand-held and truck mount RF scanning guns to scan product labels.
- Work with WMS (warehouse management system) print, label freight.
- Enter data in computer (WMS) using scanners, fax, and printers.
- Work in TDR - check landing gear of trailers and make sure its safe for associates.
- Unload open top semi trailers of guts, feathers and blood and run the drain pad.
- Mow lawn, run errands, advise customers, and assist in loading and unloading the boats.
- Ensure cleanliness of all areas in the plant including production floor, storage warehouse and working areas.
- Load and unload trailers, properly handle all HAZMAT, check bills for accuracy, and document damages.
- Load and unload freight from one trailer to another and mark with HAZMAT sign if need or remove them.
Dock worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Dock Workers are proficient in Safety Rules, Tractor Trailer, and LTL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Listening skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Dock Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Rules, 12%
Conducted safety inspections and follow safety rules and procedures
- Tractor Trailer, 8%
Load and unload tractor trailer trucks by hand, utilizing equipment to do so such as conveyor belts and rollers.
- LTL, 8%
Loaded various freight into trailers using sit-down forklift in LTL dock operation Moved trailers on and off dock using yard truck
- Unload Trailers, 6%
General Laborers to unload trailers into warehouse.
- Basic Math, 5%
Read and interpret basic mathematical measurements and effectively use a tape measure.
- Dock Equipment, 5%
Loaded and unloaded trailers utilizing various dock equipment.
Common skills that a dock worker uses to do their job include "safety rules," "tractor trailer," and "ltl." You can find details on the most important dock worker responsibilities below.
Hand-eye coordination. The most essential soft skill for a dock worker to carry out their responsibilities is hand-eye coordination. This skill is important for the role because "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." Additionally, a dock worker resume shows how their duties depend on hand-eye coordination: "inspect and package parts removed from press molds 5s fifo delivery - coordination - organization of parts for export forklift operation"
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform dock worker duties is listening skills. Dock workers responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Dock workers also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with the customer service department to ensure that all special orders were filled. "
Physical strength. dock workers are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to dock worker responsibilities, because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." A dock worker resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "load and unload trailers using forktruck, handcart, pallet jack, physical means. "
Customer-service skills. Another skill commonly found on dock worker job descriptions is "customer-service skills." It can come up quite often in dock worker duties, since "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day dock worker responsibilities: "line haul dispatcher responsible for dispatching inbound/outbound trailers to and from customer locations and within system terminal to terminal transit lanes. "
Most common dock worker skills
The three companies that hire the most dock workers are:
- Penske Logistics136 dock workers jobs
- Estes Express Lines135 dock workers jobs
- Parker Global Strategies32 dock workers jobs
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Compare different dock workers
Dock worker vs. Material handler/warehouse
A warehouse material handler is responsible for assisting warehouse operations, moving merchandise from one place to another, labeling products, performing quality check procedures, packaging goods, and loading and unloading items from distribution vehicles. Warehouse material handlers operate warehouse tools and equipment for production, as well as ensuring the adequacy of stock inventory needed for orders and deliveries. A warehouse material handler also updates product information on the database and do administrative tasks, such as writing reports and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns.
We looked at the average dock worker salary and compared it with the wages of a material handler/warehouse. Generally speaking, material handler/warehouses are paid $3,643 lower than dock workers per year.Even though dock workers and material handler/warehouses are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require ltl, basic math, and pallets in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between dock workers and material handler/warehouse. For instance, dock worker responsibilities require skills such as "safety rules," "tractor trailer," "unload trailers," and "dock equipment." Whereas a material handler/warehouse is skilled in "warehouse environment," "supply support," "ladders," and "customer service." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Material handler/warehouses earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $34,722. On the other hand, dock workers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,927.material handler/warehouses tend to reach similar levels of education than dock workers. In fact, material handler/warehouses are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.
Dock worker vs. Material handler
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
A career as a material handler brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a dock worker. In fact, material handlers salary is $2,812 lower than the salary of dock workers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Dock workers and material handlers both require similar skills like "safety rules," "ltl," and "unload trailers" to carry out their responsibilities.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real dock worker resumes. While dock worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "tractor trailer," "dock equipment," "freight bills," and "safety policies," material handlers use skills like "forklifts," "customer service," "hand tools," and "shipping receiving."
Material handlers may earn a lower salary than dock workers, but material handlers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,166. On the other hand, dock workers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,927.material handlers earn similar levels of education than dock workers in general. They're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Dock worker vs. Warehouseman
A warehouseman or warehouse worker is the person who assists with the inventory, shipping, and receiving of items in warehouses. Warehousem*n receive and process incoming materials and stocks, along with picking and filling orders from the store. They manage, organize, and retrieve supplies and others. These workers need to have skills in speed, accuracy, and prioritizing tasks on site. They should also be equipped with skills in forklift, loading, and general labor.
An average warehouseman eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of dock workers. The difference in salaries amounts to warehousem*n earning a $5 lower average salary than dock workers.dock workers and warehousem*n both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "safety rules," "tractor trailer," and "ltl," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from dock worker resumes include skills like "dock equipment," "math," "freight bills," and "safety policies," whereas a warehouseman is more likely to list skills in "logistics," "rf," "warehouse equipment," and "cycle counts. "
When it comes to education, warehousem*n tend to earn similar degree levels compared to dock workers. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about dock workers vs warehousem*n.
Dock worker vs. Freight handler
A freight handler is responsible for monitoring the distribution and delivery of the freight, unloading and storing materials, and verifying the accurate information of the freight records. Freight handlers inspect the condition and quality of the goods and materials before loading into the distribution trucks for shipment. They also operate various warehouse tools and equipment to transport merchandise from the vehicle to different parts of the facility. A freight handler must be highly organized, especially in checking the correct tagging of items and conducting safety checks.
Freight handlers average a lower salary than the annual salary of dock workers. The difference is about $83 per year.According to resumes from dock workers and freight handlers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "safety rules," "tractor trailer," and "unload trailers. "
Even though a few skill sets overlap between dock workers and freight handlers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a dock worker might have more use for skills like "ltl," "dock equipment," "freight bills," and "safety policies." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of freight handlers require skills like "logistics," "forklifts," "customer service," and "sit. "
The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for freight handlers, with average annual pay of $38,846. Comparatively, the highest dock worker annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.In general, freight handlers hold similar degree levels compared to dock workers. Freight handlers are 0.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about dock workers vs freight handlers.
Types of dock worker
Updated April 25, 2024
Zippia Team
Editorial Staff
The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
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Dock Worker Related Careers
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- Forklift Driver
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- Loader/Unloader
- Material Handler
- Material Handler/Forklift Operator
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Dock Worker Related Jobs
- Can Handler
- Cherry Picker Operator
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- Driver/Material Handler
- Driver/Warehouse Worker
- Forklift Driver
- Freight Handler
- Loader/Unloader
- Material Handler
- Material Handler/Forklift Operator
- Material Handler/Warehouse
- Mover
- Package Handler
- Package Handler UPS
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Resume For Related Jobs
- Can Handler Resume
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Updated April 25, 2024
