Materials Handler Jobs in Arlington, TX
Materials handlers keep Arlington's plants and distribution centers supplied, and current local postings start around $18 an hour, with cherry picker and sequencing shifts paying more. Most of the work sits in and around the Great Southwest Industrial District off I-30 and SH 360.
Current material handler Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Materials Handler Work in Arlington
Arlington's materials handling jobs follow its manufacturing. GM Arlington Assembly on E Abram St builds the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade, and Tier 1 suppliers such as IAC run sequencing departments that stage parts in build order. That is why so many local postings ask for cherry picker or sit-down forklift experience and run around the clock on three shifts.
The rest of the work is spread across the Great Southwest Industrial District, which straddles the Arlington and Grand Prairie city line along I-30 and SH 360, and the industrial supply operations in southeast Arlington. Plastics, electrical equipment and industrial supply plants all hire handlers to receive, stage and move material, so a handler with forklift skills can move between automotive, manufacturing and distribution jobs without leaving the east side of the metro.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Materials Handlers
These employers have posted materials handler openings in Arlington or the neighboring Great Southwest plants on their own careers sites:
- International Automotive Components - the Tier 1 automotive supplier hires forklift and cherry picker material handlers on all three shifts in Arlington, including sequencing roles.
- Poly-America - the Grand Prairie plastics manufacturer hires day and overnight material handlers, forklift drivers and inventory control staff.
- Grainger - its Imperial Supplies business posts Material Handler I openings at its south Arlington site in ZIP 76018.
- Siemens - the industrial technology company hires 2nd shift Material Handler I staff at its Fort Worth operation, with a shift differential.
Materials Handler Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $17 to $19 per hour for new handlers on day shift.
- Experienced: about $19 to $22 per hour, typical for cherry picker, sequencing and 2nd or 3rd shift roles.
- Senior / lead: about $22 to $26 per hour for lead handlers, inventory control and material planning roles.
These are estimates. Local postings show IAC paying $18 to $20.50 an hour depending on shift and equipment, and Siemens paying $18.11 to $21.74 an hour plus a 5% second shift differential. Equipment certifications, night shifts, overtime and moving into inventory or planning work are what push pay up. Across the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro, transportation and material moving jobs averaged $24.17 an hour in the May 2025 BLS survey.
How to Become a Materials Handler in Arlington
Most employers ask for a high school diploma or GED, the ability to lift around 50 pounds, and a drug screen and background check. Texas has no state license for materials handlers or forklift operators. OSHA requires employers to train and certify you on each powered truck you run, so many Arlington employers certify new hires on the job. Arlington ISD students can start at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center on Browning Dr, which has a Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster, and Tarrant County College teaches Logistics and Supply Chain at the Hadley Center on its Northwest campus. The Arlington Workforce Center at 2000 E Lamar Blvd helps job seekers connect with local openings.
What the Job Involves
Materials handlers receive and unload trucks, check counts against paperwork, put product away, and pull and stage parts for production or shipping. In automotive plants, handlers sequence parts so they reach the line in the right order and on time. Daily work includes running forklifts, cherry pickers or tuggers, scanning material with an RF gun, keeping aisles clear, and doing pre-shift equipment safety checks.
Skills Employers Look For
- Forklift, cherry picker or reach truck experience
- Accurate counting, scanning and labeling
- Ability to lift about 50 pounds and stay on your feet all shift
- Safe driving habits around pedestrians and racking
- Reliable attendance on rotating or night shifts
- Basic computer and RF scanner skills
Career Path and Advancement
Most Arlington handlers start on a general handler or forklift role, then move to cherry picker and sequencing work, which pays more. From there the ladder runs to lead handler, inventory control, material planner and shift supervisor, and some move into production or maintenance roles inside the same plant. Learning several types of equipment and the plant's inventory system is the fastest way up in the Great Southwest plants.
Related Careers in Arlington
If materials handling interests you, these related Arlington roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a materials handler in Arlington?
No. Texas has no state license for materials handlers. If the job includes a forklift or cherry picker, OSHA requires your employer to train and certify you on that equipment, and many Arlington employers do it during your first days.
How much do materials handlers make in Arlington?
Current local postings start around $18 an hour. The top of current postings runs about $20.50 to $21.74 for sequencing and 2nd shift roles, and lead or inventory roles can pay more. These are estimates that vary by shift, equipment and employer.
Which shifts pay the most for materials handlers?
Night shifts usually pay more. IAC's highest posted handler rate, $19.50 to $20.50 an hour, is for 3rd shift cherry picker sequencing, and Siemens adds a 5% differential on 2nd shift. Overtime is common in busy production periods.
What is the difference between a materials handler and a warehouse associate?
The work overlaps, but a materials handler in a plant feeds production, so timing and part sequence matter as much as speed. A warehouse associate is more often picking and packing orders for shipment. Many Arlington handlers move between the two.
How fast can I start working as a materials handler?
Many employers hire quickly, and training usually takes a few days to two weeks. Bring a photo ID and proof of work eligibility, and expect a drug screen and background check before your start date.
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