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What is a distribution center associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Delivery center associate creates and prepares outbound shipments. Likewise, he/she receives and unloads inbound shipments. He/She ensures adherence to safety, security, and environmental policies and procedures. He/She serves customers by interacting with them, unpacking, inspecting, loading their goods, and receiving payment. Additionally, he/she prepares shipments in line with customer shipping guidelines. Also, he/she maintains records of inbound and outbound shipments. Besides that, he/she collaborates with production planners in maintaining material requirements.

To apply for this job, you need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Candidates must possess communication, teamwork, time management, organization, and maths skills. You must be familiar with standard inventory control systems, cycle counting, and RF scanners. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Also, you must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Distribution center associates make an average annual salary of $31,541 or $15.16 per hour. It ranges from $18,000 to $54,000.

ScoreDistribution Center AssociateUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,708

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.9

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 6.97%

Black or African American 11.81%

Hispanic or Latino 20.04%

Unknown 5.13%

White 55.38%

Gender

female 50.08%

male 49.92%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Distribution center associate career paths

Key steps to become a distribution center associate

  1. Explore distribution center associate education requirements

    Most common distribution center associate degrees

    Bachelor's

    40.2 %

    High School Diploma

    26.1 %

    Associate

    19.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific distribution center associate skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Pallets10.85%
    Excellent Interpersonal9.89%
    Patients8.30%
    Sales Floor6.20%
    Customer Orders5.78%
  3. Complete relevant distribution center associate training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New distribution center associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a distribution center associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real distribution center associate resumes.
  4. Research distribution center associate duties and responsibilities

    • Used RF scanner gun and WMS to accomplish require tasks.
    • Manage logistics of shipping, receiving, and distribution of finish goods, including process improvement and problem resolution.
    • Provide excellent customer service, order supplies, operate POS systems, reconcile registers, and prepare deposits.
    • Provide extensive customer support to the FedEx user departments.
  5. Prepare your distribution center associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your distribution center associate resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a distribution center associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable distribution center associate resume templates

    Build a professional distribution center associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your distribution center associate resume.
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
    Distribution Center Associate Resume
  6. Apply for distribution center associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a distribution center associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first distribution center associate job

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Average distribution center associate salary

The average distribution center associate salary in the United States is $33,708 per year or $16 per hour. Distribution center associate salaries range between $26,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average distribution center associate salary
$33,708 Yearly
$16.21 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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