How to hire a general warehouse associate

How to hire a general warehouse associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general warehouse associate hiring guide:

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

What does a general warehouse associate do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a general warehouse associate, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   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 general warehouse associate 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.

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

   Type of General Warehouse Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   General Warehouse Associate	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-18
   Warehouse Selector	A warehouse selector is responsible for preparing merchandise and packing items appropriately according to clients' orders and special instructions. Warehouse selectors ensure the adequacy of stock inventory to release orders and create purchase requests as needed... Show more	$13-22
   Warehouse/Driver	A warehouse driver is responsible for transporting packages and other merchandise from the warehouse to different locations. Warehouse drivers strictly follow route sheets to avoid delays in the delivery... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Manual Pallet Jack
   • RF Scanner
   • Safety Regulations
   • Unload Trailers
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • OSHA
   • Forklift Equipment
   • Customer Orders
   • Load Trucks
   • Safety Standards
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Standards
   • Purchase Orders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Unload product off trailers, receive product using the WMS system, and transport product to its necessary location.
   • Travele to other distribution centers to assist with the setup, training and operation of the KEXE WMS system implementation.
   • Assemble medical equipment-Deliver medical supplies to patients homes and medical facilities-Prepare supplies and packaging for delivery-Load packages according to borough
   • Order selectors are required to safely operator a motorize pallet jack.
   • Operate power equipment including: order pickers, tuggers, reach trucks, and counterbalance forklifts.

   More general warehouse associate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general warehouse associate job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A general warehouse associate salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, general warehouse associates' average salary in louisiana is 32% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level general warehouse associates earn 33% less than senior-level general warehouse associates.
   • Certifications. A general warehouse associate with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a general warehouse associate's salary.

   Average general warehouse associate salary

   $15.55hourly

   $32,339 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level general warehouse associate salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

   Average general warehouse associate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$38,559	$19
   2	California	$35,525	$17
   3	New York	$34,734	$17
   4	Illinois	$33,288	$16
   5	Indiana	$33,249	$16
   6	North Carolina	$31,647	$15
   7	Mississippi	$31,355	$15
   8	Arizona	$30,876	$15
   9	Michigan	$30,793	$15
   10	Kansas	$30,028	$14
   11	Texas	$29,658	$14
   12	Tennessee	$29,623	$14
   13	Missouri	$29,431	$14
   14	Georgia	$29,020	$14
   15	Florida	$28,952	$14
   16	Virginia	$28,591	$14
   17	Alabama	$27,823	$13

   Average general warehouse associate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Olympic Steel	$39,080	$18.79	9
   2	Ashley HomeStore	$37,321	$17.94	23
   3	International Paper	$36,781	$17.68	31
   4	East Penn Manufacturing	$36,762	$17.67	9
   5	HD Supply	$36,495	$17.55	73
   6	Covenant	$36,370	$17.49	8
   7	Best Buy	$35,909	$17.26	117
   8	WestRock	$35,779	$17.20	31
   9	CVS Health	$35,675	$17.15	70
   10	Ferguson Enterprises	$35,477	$17.06	121
   11	Sysco	$35,467	$17.05	133
   12	Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck	$35,409	$17.02
   13	G.L. Huyett	$35,268	$16.96
   14	The Manufacturers' Association	$35,077	$16.86	2
   15	Dollar General	$34,677	$16.67	31
   16	Leggett & Platt	$34,392	$16.53	6
   17	Arnold Oil Co of Austin	$34,363	$16.52
   18	Family Dollar	$34,352	$16.52	12
   19	McKesson	$34,225	$16.45	16
   20	The Home Depot	$34,159	$16.42	783

4. Writing a general warehouse associate job description

   A good general warehouse associate job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a general warehouse associate job description:

   General warehouse associate job description example

   Current Living Spaces Employees: Please apply via your internal Workday Account.
   
   Living Spaces is a growing home furnishing brand and we continue to open new locations. We know in order to stay current with the times and trends, we have to perpetually update our look and selection. What has truly sustained our growth - from 1 to over 20 locations, from 100 employees to over 2,000, from a humble home furnishings store to a widely recognized and respected lifestyle brand - are the talented individuals who have taken us there. We are looking for innovative, driven, and passionate professionals to join our team so we can reach even greater heights together.We believe that a great team member experience leads to an even better guest experience. That is why we place a huge emphasis on building a great culture within our teams. Our ideal candidate will have natural talent: meaning, they possess the capacity and commitment, along with an openness to being coached around skills that will ensure they delight and exceed the expectations of our guests in all areas of Living Spaces business. We also believe in our team members taking ownership of their performance and how that contributes to the overall success of their role.
   
   Position Summary
   The General Warehouse Associate is responsible for filling customer orders in a manner that meets company standards for safety, security and productivity. Efficiently fills customer orders for shipment, ensuring that the correct number and type of product is loaded and shipped. Ensure outbound shipments are accurate and free of damage. Ability to understand all aspects of inbound unloading operations within a distribution center, working in teams to accomplish all job duties.
   
   Position Description
   Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
   Support the outbound operation Unload trailers by hand Moving furniture with dollies Ability to work in a warehouse environment, withstanding climate changes Proper lifting techniques, lift, push, stooping twisting, bending Assembly of furniture Use of RF Scanners/ scanning system Ensure outbound picked furniture matches invoice before loading into contractor's vehicle for delivery Ensures that outbound furniture does not have any damages or flaws Efficiently prepares customers' orders Monitors and ensures that outbound furniture is properly assemble Conducts operations in compliance with OSHA standards Conducts operations in a manner that promotes safety Ensures that the correct number and type of product is loaded and shipped Responsible for the completeness and correctness of all orders filled Inspects and performs minor maintenance on the equipment Maintains a clean free from debris warehouse floor Meet company standards for productivity Ability to work weekends and most holidays Able to work in a fast-paced environment
   
   Qualifications
   Education/Experience: High School Diploma or GED equivalent. 1-2 years experience of forklift operation in a fast paced, warehouse environment. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
   
   Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have experience in Microsoft Office programs. Knowledge of design software programs is a plus.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   It is our policy to abide by all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based solely on a person's race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), sexual orientation, or any other protected status except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.
   
   E-Verify
   Living Spaces participates in E-Verify. All newly-hired team members are queried through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify their identity and employment eligibility.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find general warehouse associates 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 general warehouse associates they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level general warehouse associates 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 general warehouse associate job on Zippia to find and recruit general warehouse associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit general warehouse associates, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 general warehouse associate

   Once you have selected a candidate for the general warehouse associate 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 general warehouse associate 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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