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Careers›Roles›Material Handling Technician
Mid-Level

Material Handling Technician

Materials — samples, supplies, equipment, inventory — have to move and be tracked correctly, and that's your work, handling, storing, and managing them so others can do theirs. Keeping the right materials in the right place.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
R
C
I
S
E
A
Realistichands-on, practical
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Material Handling Technicians
ConstructionHealthcareReal EstateRetailConsumer ServicesWholesale & Distribution
Job markets for Material Handling Technicians
Employment concentration · ~158 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
ScienceConstruction
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Material Handling Technician

In labs, warehouses, or facilities, often on your feet, you receive, store, move, and track materials — operating equipment, managing inventory, and following handling and safety procedures. Accuracy in tracking and handling is the craft, since a mislabeled or misplaced item stalls everyone downstream, and some materials are hazardous or fragile.

The harder part is the physical demands and the attention it takes — the work looks simple but errors ripple. Safety protocols matter, especially with hazardous materials, the pace can be steady and physical, and systems vary by facility. The role is often a foundation others build their work on.

It tends to fit someone reliable, organized, and comfortable with physical, hands-on routine. If you want a desk or fast advancement, the role can feel limited. But if there's satisfaction in keeping operations supplied and running smoothly, the work tends to be steady and genuinely useful.

What people in this role value
SupportAbove avg
RelationshipsLower
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$92K+15%
Technology & Information$91K+13%
Energy & Utilities$82K+2%
Financial Services$81K+2%
Wholesale & Distribution$79K-1%
Compared to Science average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Material Handling Technicians (SOC 19-4043.00, 47-4041.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Science →
Material Handling TechnicianTest TechnicianHazardous Waste SpecialistResearch AssociateField ScoutMaterials SpecialistLaboratory AssistantLaboratory TechnicianHazardous Waste Technician (Hazardous Waste Tech)Abatement WorkerGeophysical ProspectorAcid TesterChalk TesterCrude TesterCore InspectorEchometer EngineerElectrical Logging OperatorElectrical Prospecting ObserverElectrical Prospecting OperatorConstruction Materials Testing Technician (Construction Materials Testing Tech)
Also appears in: Construction
Exploring the Material Handling Technician career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$33K–$92K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
60K
U.S. Employment
+1.25%
10yr Growth
6K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlOperations MonitoringMonitoringActive ListeningTime ManagementWriting
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-4043.0047-4041.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midTest Technician$68KmidHazardous Waste Specialist$63KseniorSenior Hazardous Waste Specialist$63KmidResearch Associate$69KmidField Scout$42KseniorSenior Test Technician$67K
View all Science roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.