How to Become a

Warehouse Jobs Worker

The complete career guide to be a Warehouse Jobs Worker: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.

Why We Love It

  • $27,840
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 5.1%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Don't Take Work Home
    Career Attribute

Under the direction of a manager or team leader, the warehouse jobs worker undertakes logistics and operations related duties at a warehouse facility, such as taking inventory, organizing stock for shipping to customers and keeping records of transactions made.

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What is a Warehouse Jobs Worker?

Duties

  • A warehouse jobs worker performs important functions that are highlighted below:
  • Keeping track of inventory controls, especially physical inventory, through collection of stock location orders, print requests and records of materials.
  • Operating machinery like pallet jacks and forklifts to carry items from storage to plant sites or pick up products from multiple locations for shipments.
  • Compiles and organizes orders placed by customers from inventory and transfers the requested items to a packing station of the shipping department as applicable.
  • Completes paperwork for work orders, tools and materials requests and fills requisitions for the purpose of distributing items to the assembly line.
  • Ensures that the work environment is well-maintained and hygienic by keeping shelves, work stations and pallet areas neat and clean in accordance with regulations or guidelines.

Day In The Life

As a warehouse jobs worker, you can expect your day to be packed with a busy schedule. In this role, you will spend much of the time unloading goods that are delivered to a warehouse facility for the purpose of storage, from conveyor vehicles like trucks, to ensure their specifications are matching the delivery documentation you have, e.g. shipping invoices, delivery notes, etc.

This position may involve working with a team of similar professionals to assess whether the items received are undamaged, and making a report to confirm the same. You may also report directly to the warehouse manager or merchandise owner to keep them notified about the stock availability in the concerned warehouse. When transporting merchandise using more traditional methods is not possible, you might have to operate automated equipment or machinery to carry heavy items across.

Work Schedule

The work schedule for warehouse workers can be very hectic, depending on the company. Some workers remain on the clock during lunch hours but have the ability to choose the type of shift they want – between 8,10 or 12 hours including weekend options. The day shifts between 8 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday is in high demand. In a typical work week, you will be working 40 hours per week, excluding overtime.

Aspiring warehouse jobs workers should demonstrate physical stamina since much of the work involves heavy lifting, walking long distances through the day and operating heavy equipment. If your role includes working on the loading platforms, this will include exposure to different weather conditions through the year, while work in a refrigerated plant will require special protective gear.

Growth Of The Job

Warehouse workers that spend some years in the industry will eventually be promoted to gang leaders or warehouse supervisors. However, these jobs are rare and fiercely competitive. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect the employment of warehouse jobs workers to grow steadily, the same as the average of other occupations.

The demand for warehouses varies based on the performance of the economy. For instance, when customers have a good standard of living, they will acquire more items overtime. Public warehouses will serve as storage for products bought by customers via instant options such as over the internet. With a high turnover in the job area, combined with the retirement of an aging population of workers will result in more openings.

Typical Employers

Employment can be found with manufacturers, retailers, transport companies, wholesalers and government agencies owning private warehouses. There are also independently owned or public warehouses that require warehouse jobs workers for support.

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How To Become a Warehouse Jobs Worker

Typically, you can find positions in this industry with a high school education. You should be proficient with writing, typing and data entry, especially due to record keeping requirements on the job. Most employers also provide basic training after employment for several weeks to make workers get accustomed to lifting heavy packages, operating industry machinery and equipment as well as gaining an idea of guidelines followed.

For job opportunities, aspiring workers can apply to openings are warehouses directly, or connect with state employment offices as well as online job portals to submit their letter of interest. This is a great career path for someone who has a high attention to detail, can work with a team easily and adapt to a noisy, stressful warehouse environment.


Warehouse Jobs Worker Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$20,270

Average

$27,840

High Range

$41,780

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$10/hr

Average

$13/hr

High Range

$20/hr

How do Warehouse Jobs Worker salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Warehouse Jobs Worker's can make an average annual salary of $27,840, or $13 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $20,270 or $10 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #731 Nationally for All Careers


Highest Education Among Warehouse Jobs Workers

  • 0.2%   Doctorate
  • 0.7%   Masters
  • 5.2%   Bachelors
  • 5.2%   Associates
  • 21%   College
  • 48.2%   High School
  • 19.6%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

2,441,300

2024 Est. Jobs

2,566,400

Job Growth Rate

5.1%

Est. New Jobs

125,100

How does Warehouse Jobs Worker job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 125,100 jobs for a total of 2,566,400 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 5.1% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #434 Nationally for All Careers


What Companies Employ The Most Warehouse Jobs Workers

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Temporary help services 435,500 74,800 75%
Warehousing and storage 190,200 9,200 9%
Department stores 80,200 -16,400 -16%

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