How to hire a Warehouse Worker

How to hire a warehouse worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step warehouse worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a warehouse worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Warehouse Worker do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The warehouse worker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A warehouse worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, warehouse workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of warehouse workers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type Of Warehouse Worker	Description	Hourly Rate
   Warehouse Worker	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-19
   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... Show More	$12-18
   Warehouse Machine Operator	Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines... Show More	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Pallets
   • Customer Service
   • Basic Math
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Customer Orders
   • Math
   • Warehouse Environment
   • Industrial Trucks
   • Safety Regulations
   • Steel-Toed Boots
   • Load Trucks
   • Powered Industrial Trucks
   • Warehouse Equipment
   • Assembly Line

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure cleanliness and functionality of warehouse equipment on a regular basis.
   • Drive CDL box trucks and vans.
   • Experience in WMS, AS400, and RF technologies.
   • Load and unload metal plumbing, heating and HVAC inventory from semi-trucks.
   • Set up equipment and instructs patients on the basis use of equipment.
   • Perform job duties such as full-case, repack, replenishment, and recycling.

   More Warehouse Worker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your warehouse worker job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A warehouse worker salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a warehouse worker in Oklahoma may be lower than in Indiana, and an entry-level warehouse worker usually earns less than a senior-level warehouse worker. Additionally, a warehouse worker with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average warehouse worker salary

   $15.87hourly

   $33,010 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level warehouse worker salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated June 10, 2025

   Average warehouse worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Indiana	$37,777	$18
   2	Oregon	$36,445	$18
   3	Washington	$36,419	$18
   4	Minnesota	$35,931	$17
   5	California	$35,293	$17
   6	Maine	$35,176	$17
   7	Nevada	$35,130	$17
   8	New York	$34,385	$17
   9	New Jersey	$34,339	$17
   10	Utah	$34,199	$16
   11	Colorado	$34,129	$16
   12	Pennsylvania	$34,004	$16
   13	Illinois	$33,639	$16
   14	Ohio	$33,205	$16
   15	Iowa	$33,198	$16
   16	Nebraska	$32,644	$16
   17	Arizona	$32,424	$16
   18	Missouri	$32,047	$15
   19	Kansas	$32,047	$15
   20	Tennessee	$30,717	$15

   Average warehouse worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	United Natural Foods	$40,741	$19.59	28
   2	Alpenrose Dairy	$40,346	$19.40
   3	Bunge	$39,769	$19.12	2
   4	Dot Foods	$39,585	$19.03	1
   5	Uline	$39,295	$18.89	129
   6	Vista Outdoor	$39,224	$18.86	8
   7	Reyes Holdings	$39,222	$18.86	79
   8	US Foods	$38,989	$18.74	281
   9	Rite Aid	$38,730	$18.62
   10	Cargill	$38,613	$18.56	52
   11	Target	$38,569	$18.54	828
   12	University of Massachusetts Boston	$38,554	$18.54
   13	Natural Grocers	$38,388	$18.46
   14	Chewy	$38,342	$18.43	18
   15	American Woodmark	$38,325	$18.43	2
   16	Shoppers Food	$38,294	$18.41
   17	Dairy Farmers of America	$38,164	$18.35	32
   18	BJ's Wholesale Club	$38,137	$18.34	91
   19	Eastern Metal Supply	$38,085	$18.31	23
   20	Ashley HomeStore	$37,973	$18.26	28

4. Writing a Warehouse Worker Job Description

   A warehouse worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a warehouse worker job description:

   Warehouse Worker job description example

   As a Freight Handler at Walmart Supply Chain, you will have a critical role in moving product through our Distribution network to the Stores to service our Customers. Your role is critical in providing our customers with the product they expect at an everyday low price.
   
   You can expect the work to be very physically demanding with an extremely high focus on your safety and the safety of others. You will be lifting heavy cases in extreme climates. The flow of freight is very fast-paced, and productivity expectations are high.
   Duties and Responsibilities
   
   Freight Handling Handles and processes freight in a safe and correct manner through the facility to the Stores. Loads, unloads, orderfills, packs, and/or processes freight in an accurate and timely manner. Tells management about unsafe working conditions, damaged products, or improper procedures in the facility. Uses freight handling equipment in a safe and correct manner. Maintains a clean work environment to ensure safety and compliance. Complies with company policies, procedures, and standards of ethics and integrity. Ensures freight quality and integrity. Performs additional duties as assigned
   #supplychainjobs
   
   About Walmart
   
   At Walmart, we help people save money so they can live better. This mission serves as the foundation for every decision we make, from responsible sourcing to sustainability-and everything in between. As a Walmart associate, you will play an integral role in shaping the future of retail, tech, merchandising, finance and hundreds of other industries-all while affecting the lives of millions of customers all over the world. Here, your work makes an impact every day. What are you waiting for?
   
   Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer- By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers, and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, abilities, ideas and opinions- while being inclusive of all people.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   To find warehouse workers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any warehouse workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level warehouse workers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your warehouse worker job on Zippia to find and recruit warehouse worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit warehouse workers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the warehouse worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new warehouse worker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a warehouse worker?