How to hire a freight handler

How to hire a freight handler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight handler hiring guide:

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

What does a freight handler do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the freight handler you need to hire. Certain freight handler roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect freight handler also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of freight handlers.

   Type of Freight Handler	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Handler	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$13-21
   Mover	Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes... Show more	$12-20
   Dock Worker	People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships... Show more	$13-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Pallets
   • Math
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Manual Equipment
   • Hand Trucks
   • FedEx
   • Logistics
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Unload Trailers
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Forklifts
   • Customer Service
   • Work Ethic

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
   • Dock work then get CDL and then go to the road
   • Work on the dock loading and unloading truck and backup CDL driver.
   • Ship order via FedEx on a daily basis and perform an inventory and cycle count when need.
   • Distribute break loads, freight and merchandise on inbound and outbound side of the LTL freight terminal.
   • Job include handling all types of LTL freight with a forklift while unloading and loading trailers for delivery.

   More freight handler duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight handler job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freight handler can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, freight handlers' average salary in louisiana is 37% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight handlers 36% less than senior-level freight handlers.
   • Certifications. A freight handler with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freight handler's salary.

   Average freight handler salary

   $35,944yearly

   $17.28 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freight handler salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 30, 2025

   Average freight handler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$46,176	$22
   2	New York	$44,659	$21
   3	Minnesota	$44,607	$21
   4	Wisconsin	$43,902	$21
   5	Maine	$43,492	$21
   6	Pennsylvania	$42,175	$20
   7	North Dakota	$41,105	$20
   8	Illinois	$39,809	$19
   9	Iowa	$39,690	$19
   10	Colorado	$38,212	$18
   11	Nevada	$38,158	$18
   12	Utah	$37,923	$18
   13	South Dakota	$36,991	$18
   14	Missouri	$36,426	$18
   15	Kansas	$36,285	$17
   16	Ohio	$36,273	$17
   17	Washington	$36,151	$17
   18	California	$34,923	$17
   19	Oregon	$34,543	$17
   20	Oklahoma	$33,816	$16

   Average freight handler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	R+L Carriers	$40,372	$19.41	28
   2	Southeastern Freight Lines	$39,969	$19.22	3
   3	Forward Air	$39,903	$19.18	26
   4	Oak Harbor Freight Lines	$39,491	$18.99	3
   5	CEVA Logistics	$39,422	$18.95
   6	FedEx	$39,290	$18.89	176
   7	Gordon Food Service	$37,356	$17.96	4
   8	PW Companies	$36,642	$17.62
   9	Lynden	$35,932	$17.27	4
   10	Amazon	$35,229	$16.94
   11	Kaplan Early Learning	$34,884	$16.77
   12	CrossCountry Freight Solutions	$34,364	$16.52	2
   13	Boscov's Inc.	$34,046	$16.37	1
   14	Freight Handlers Incorporated	$33,799	$16.25
   15	Capstone Logistics	$33,503	$16.11	114
   16	DHI Group	$33,185	$15.95
   17	BJ's Wholesale Club	$32,913	$15.82	21
   18	Coastal Pacific Food Distributors	$32,844	$15.79	1
   19	Walmart	$32,615	$15.68	431
   20	Randstad North America, Inc.	$31,897	$15.34	7

4. Writing a freight handler job description

   A freight handler 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. Below, you can find an example of a freight handler job description:

   Freight handler job description example

   Our weekend premium just increased to $5.00/hour & our freezer premium just increased to $3.00/hour.

   Many shifts available:

   Tuesday-Friday (day and night)/4 day work week

   Saturday-Monday (day and night)/3 day work week

   Monday-Friday 12P-8P (5 day work week)

   To apply text 'DC' to 240240 and search on DC # 7019 or Brundidge, Al

   Search on the Brundidge, Al Location

   Apply to: Freight Handler (orderfiller/order selector)

   Essential Functions: An individual must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of this position with or without a reasonable accommodation. Organize warehouse through removing and stacking empty pallets. Fulfill store orders through pulling merchandise through layer using electronic voice control equipment, stacking onto pallets, placing labels in appropriate area on freight, and transporting using power equipment. Maintain freight integrity through inspecting freight for damage and mis-placement (i.e. "strays") monitoring temperature and integrity of food items by separating freight using plastic sheets, (e.g. species, chemical), and maintaining records, logs and forms.

   Physical Activities: The following physical activities are necessary to perform one or more essential functions of this position. Moves up and down stairs. Grasps, turns, and manipulates objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Reads information, often in small print. Visually locates merchandise and other objects. Visually inspects equipment. Reaches overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping. Observe behavior of others (i.e., associates, customers, suppliers). Stand for extended periods of time. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required, which could include, but not be limited to fall protection, eye protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, chemical protection and electrical protection such as protective footwear. Operate motor vehicle or other large power equipment. Use approved equipment to step up and access freight and equipment in elevated areas. Walk within work area for extended periods of time. Enter and locate information on a computer or system communication device. Differentiate sounds in order to inspect and maintain equipment, identify potential hazards, or recognize safety alarms. Lift, push, pull, and carry tools, objects or equipment above shoulder level without assistance. Write documents, reports, etc. using a writing instrument (e.g., pencil, pen) or computer. Moves, lifts, carries, and places merchandise and supplies weighing up to 60 pounds without assistance. Communicates effectively in person and by using telecommunications equipment or electronic voice control equipment

   Work Environment: Working in the following environment is necessary to perform one or more of the essential functions of this position.

   * May work with substances that require special handling Works in areas requiring exposure to varying temperatures, extreme heat or cold, and/or wet, damp, or drafty conditions.

   * Moves over sloping, uneven, or slippery surfaces.

   * Work overnight, weekends, and varying shifts.

   * Works at heights.

   * Work indoors for extended periods of time. Move through narrow, enclosed, or elevated spaces.

   To apply text 'DC' to 240240 and search on DC # 7019 or Brundidge, Al

   Company DescriptionWalmart
   We are a grocery distribution center in Brundidge, Alabama. The DC services approximately 125 Walmart Stores in the southeast United States.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right freight handler for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit freight handlers, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 freight handler

   Once you have selected a candidate for the freight handler 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new freight handler. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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