Research Summary. Leveraging a mix of publicly available government data and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for warehouse jobs across the United States. This analysis identifies the highest-paying positions available for warehouse associates based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings related to the highest-paying warehouse associate roles:
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Warehouse Specialist ranks as the highest-paid warehouse associate, with an average salary of $35,015 and an average hourly wage of $16.83.
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The second highest-paying role is Warehouse Technician, which offers an average salary of $34,985.
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The average salary for warehouse associates is $32,863 per year, translating to an hourly pay of approximately $15.80.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary is an important consideration, it should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process. Understanding the highest-paying roles within the warehouse sector can guide your career progression effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various warehouse associate roles:
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Warehouse Specialist
Average Salary: $35,015
A Warehouse Specialist oversees daily warehouse operations, ensuring efficient processes. Their expertise is often required in shipping docks, airports, and various warehouses. Primary responsibilities include supervising shipments, organizing storage, and managing inventory. Ideal candidates possess strong knowledge of inventory control systems, multitasking abilities, physical fitness, and proficiency in operating warehouse machinery.
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Warehouse Technician
Average Salary: $34,985
A Warehouse Technician is tasked with managing incoming and outgoing goods in a warehouse or distribution center. Responsibilities include verifying shipment details, assisting with packaging, moving merchandise, inspecting item quality, and operating warehouse equipment. Technicians must demonstrate excellent time-management and organizational skills, especially in processing orders and generating inventory reports.
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Warehouse Coordinator
Average Salary: $34,095
A Warehouse Coordinator monitors the supply chain operations within the warehouse, including loading and unloading goods. They assist in packing, labeling, and ensuring item quality and quantity. Coordinators also evaluate the efficiency of warehouse equipment and schedule maintenance as needed.
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Warehouse Driver
Average Salary: $34,000
A Warehouse Driver transports packages and merchandise from the warehouse to designated locations. They follow route sheets to ensure timely deliveries, check loaded items for accuracy, and update inventory records. Drivers must safely operate their vehicles and maintain compliance with safety regulations while addressing customer inquiries.
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Warehouse Machine Operator
Average Salary: $33,796
Warehouse Machine Operators are responsible for setting up, operating, and troubleshooting warehouse machinery. They inspect equipment for compliance and damage and interpret technical diagrams. Effective communication with team members is crucial for maintaining production flow. Employers typically seek candidates with production knowledge, safety familiarity, and prior experience.
Below is a comprehensive table of the average compensation for various warehouse associate roles, followed by details about our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Warehouse Associates
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to formulate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the most current salary information for warehouse associates.
After collecting the data, the team computes a weighted average salary for each job title. For further details on our salary estimates, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Warehouse Associate Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid warehouse associate job?
The highest-paid warehouse associate job is a Warehouse Specialist. Warehouse Specialists earn an average salary of $35,015, which equates to $16.83 hourly.
A warehouse specialist manages daily warehouse operations efficiently. Their expertise is critical in shipping docks, airports, and various industry warehouses. Responsibilities include supervising shipments, organizing storage, and monitoring inventory. Candidates must have knowledge of inventory control systems, multitasking abilities, physical fitness, and competence in operating warehouse machinery.
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What is a good salary for a warehouse associate?
A good salary for a warehouse associate is $32,863 or more. The average salary for warehouse associates is $32,863, indicating that those earning at least this amount are above average.
However, the average salary can vary based on location, as employers adjust pay scales according to the cost of living. It’s advisable to research local salaries for similar roles to gain a clearer understanding of your earning potential.
Additionally, if you’re starting your career as a warehouse associate, the entry-level salary may be significantly lower, so the average salary should not be the sole metric for assessing your compensation.
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Do Warehouse Associate jobs pay well?
Warehouse associate jobs can vary widely in pay. While some positions offer more lucrative compensation than others, the average salary of $32,863 is lower than the national average of around $44,225 per year.
Many warehouse associate roles do present high earning potential, with the top 10% earning significantly more. Salaries fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s essential to consider these factors when exploring job opportunities.
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Where do warehouse associates get paid the most?
Warehouse associates earn the highest salaries in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, the average annual salary is $34,558, with an average hourly wage of $16.61.
Following Wisconsin, the states with the highest warehouse associate salaries are Pennsylvania, Nevada, and North Dakota, with average annual salaries of $33,546, $34,267, and $36,616 respectively.
The cities offering the most competitive salaries for warehouse associates include:
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Portland, OR – $36,050
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Seattle, WA – $36,013
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Minneapolis, MN – $35,710
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
