Material Handler Jobs in Arlington, TX
Material handlers in Arlington typically start around $18 to $19 an hour at the auto-supplier plants and distribution centers of the Great Southwest Industrial District, where many jobs feed production lines rather than just load trucks. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get started.
Current material handler Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Material Handler Work in Arlington
Arlington is an auto town. GM Arlington Assembly on E Abram St opened in 1954 and builds the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade, and a ring of Tier 1 suppliers works around it, including International Automotive Components, whose Arlington plant posts forklift, cherry picker and sequencing handler jobs on all three shifts. Those roles move parts to the line in the order the plant builds vehicles, so timing and accuracy matter as much as lifting.
The rest of the work spreads through the Great Southwest Industrial District along I-30 and SH 360 and across the line into Grand Prairie, where Poly-America and Siemens run plants, and to distribution centers such as Imperial Supplies in Arlington's 76018 ZIP. Plant jobs run around the clock with shift premiums, while distribution jobs lean toward weekday days.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Material Handlers
These employers list material handler jobs on their own careers sites for Arlington and the neighbouring Grand Prairie and Fort Worth plants:
- International Automotive Components - the Tier 1 auto supplier hires forklift and cherry picker material handlers in Arlington on 1st, 2nd and 3rd shift from $18 to $20.50 an hour.
- Poly-America - the Grand Prairie plastics plant hires day and overnight material handlers to secure and move finished goods and scrap.
- Imperial Supplies (Grainger) - the Arlington distribution center hires Material Handler I staff for picking, packing, kitting and put-away, Monday to Friday with no weekends.
- Siemens - the Fort Worth and Grand Prairie plants hire material handlers for receiving, forklift moves, kitting to assembly and SAP transactions.
Material Handler Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $16 to $19 an hour for general handling and new hires.
- Experienced: roughly $19 to $22 an hour for forklift and cherry picker handlers, plus shift premiums.
- Senior / lead: about $22 to $29.50 an hour for senior handlers at manufacturers.
These are estimates drawn from pay posted by local employers: IAC lists $18 to $20.50 for its Arlington handler jobs, and Siemens has posted Fort Worth material handlers at $18.11 to $21.74 plus a 5% shift differential and senior handlers at $22 to $29.50. Forklift certification, night shifts and plant work pay more than general warehouse handling.
How to Become a Material Handler in Arlington
Most jobs require a high school diploma or GED, being at least 18, and passing a drug screen and background check. Texas has no state license for material handlers. If you drive a forklift or cherry picker, OSHA requires your employer to train you, evaluate you on that equipment and certify you, with a re-evaluation at least every three years, so many Arlington plants train new hires on the job. Tarrant County College's Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at the Hadley Center of Excellence, TCC Northwest Campus, offers a mostly online Level 1 certificate in Warehouse Management for handlers who want to move up. The Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County center at 2000 E Lamar Blvd can point you to training and openings.
What the Job Involves
Material handlers unload and inspect incoming shipments, move materials with hand trucks, pallet jacks, forklifts and cherry pickers, and deliver parts and kits where they are needed. In plants that means feeding components to production lines on schedule and hauling finished goods and scrap away. Every move is scanned or logged in a WMS or SAP, and safety checks start each shift.
Skills Employers Look For
- Forklift, cherry picker and pallet jack experience
- RF scanner, WMS or SAP familiarity
- Ability to lift 50 pounds or more repeatedly
- Accuracy with part numbers and counts
- Safety awareness around lines and traffic
- Reliability on rotating, night or weekend shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Material handling is one of the fastest ways into Arlington manufacturing and logistics. Handlers commonly move up to forklift operator, sequencing or line-feed lead, inventory control and shipping and receiving clerk, then to material planner and warehouse supervisor. In the supplier plants around GM Arlington and the Grand Prairie factories, proven handlers often step into higher-paid production and materials roles.
Related Careers in Arlington
If material handling interests you, these related Arlington roles are worth exploring:
- Warehouse Associate Jobs
- Forklift Operator Jobs
- Shipping and Receiving Clerk Jobs
- Inventory Specialist Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a material handler and a warehouse associate in Arlington?
The roles overlap, but material handlers in Arlington often work inside plants, feeding production lines and moving finished goods, while warehouse associates focus on receiving, picking and shipping orders. At the auto suppliers, handling usually includes sequencing parts to the line.
How much do material handlers make in Arlington?
New handlers generally earn about $16 to $19 an hour, and forklift and cherry picker handlers about $19 to $22 plus shift premiums. Senior handlers at manufacturers can reach about $22 to $29.50 an hour.
Do you need a forklift certification to be a material handler?
Not to apply for most jobs. OSHA puts forklift training and certification on the employer, so Arlington plants commonly certify new hires on their own equipment. Prior forklift or cherry picker experience does help you start at a higher rate.
What shifts do Arlington material handlers work?
Plants such as IAC run 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts, and Poly-America hires overnight handlers. Distribution centers like Imperial Supplies in Arlington run weekday day shifts with no weekends.
Is material handling physically demanding?
Yes. Expect to stand and walk most of the shift, lift 50 pounds or more, and work around moving equipment, often in buildings that get hot in a North Texas summer.
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