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Factory worker vs warehouse worker

The differences between factory workers and warehouse workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouse worker has an average salary of $33,010, which is higher than the $29,343 average annual salary of a factory worker.

The top three skills for a factory worker include line assembly, production process and safety regulations. The most important skills for a warehouse worker are pallets, customer service, and basic math.

Factory worker vs warehouse worker overview

Factory WorkerWarehouse Worker
Yearly salary$29,343$33,010
Hourly rate$14.11$15.87
Growth rate-1%
Number of jobs106,768255,502
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a factory worker do?

A factory worker is responsible for manufacturing products using appropriate machinery and equipment. Factory workers' duties include processing the products based on the required quantity and specifications, labeling and safely packaging the merchandise, ensuring that the items are free of any defects before distribution, monitoring the supply inventories, reporting defected machines and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of the production area. A factory worker must have excellent time-management skills to produce high-quality products within a specific time frame.

What does a warehouse worker do?

Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.

Factory worker vs warehouse worker salary

Factory workers and warehouse workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Factory WorkerWarehouse Worker
Average salary$29,343$33,010
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAIndianapolis, IN
Highest paying stateWashingtonIndiana
Best paying companyUPSUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryAutomotiveManufacturing

Differences between factory worker and warehouse worker education

There are a few differences between a factory worker and a warehouse worker in terms of educational background:

Factory WorkerWarehouse Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Factory worker vs warehouse worker demographics

Here are the differences between factory workers' and warehouse workers' demographics:

Factory WorkerWarehouse Worker
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%6%

Differences between factory worker and warehouse worker duties and responsibilities

Factory worker example responsibilities.

  • Assemble automotive windows for Honda and Toyota
  • Assemble HVAC systems & furnaces.
  • Perform landscaping, HVAC, assemble tanning beds, and other duties as assigned.
  • Assemble parts to mowers as line move, keep parts ready to assemble and cardboard and trash clear away.
  • Maintain seasonal grounds work, lawn mowing, trimming shrubs flowerbeds, spraying pesticides, and other landscaping elements.
  • Keep production areas in compliance with sanitation standards set by HACCP, FDA, USDA, and customer's requirements.
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Warehouse worker example 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.
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Factory worker vs warehouse worker skills

Common factory worker skills
  • Line Assembly, 25%
  • Production Process, 19%
  • Safety Regulations, 18%
  • Pallet Jack, 8%
  • Temp Service, 5%
  • Quality Checks, 5%
Common warehouse worker skills
  • Pallets, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Customer Orders, 6%
  • Math, 5%

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