How To Become A General Warehouse: What It Is and Career Path

What is a general warehouse and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

General warehouse workers are responsible for processing and loading orders for shipments. They pull products or materials from the warehouse and package them for shipping, or unload arriving shipments and arrange them in their appropriate places in the warehouse.

You might drive trucks or forklifts to transport goods to and from vendors. It will be your job to keep the warehouse clean, your equipment well-maintained, and the space and appliances in accordance with safety regulations. Controlling inventory and completing reports on arriving or outgoing shipments will be your duties as well.

You need no special education or experience to do this job. If you have a GED you are good to go, training will most likely be provided on the job. You will work in a team, so communication skills and a willingness to collaborate are a must. Physical fitness is crucial as well, as there might be some heavy lifting involved here, and long hours in rotating shifts are to be expected.

ScoreGeneral WarehouseUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,660

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.6

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.02%

Asian 6.59%

Black or African American 10.19%

Hispanic or Latino 21.20%

Unknown 6.08%

White 54.93%

Gender

female 23.02%

male 76.98%

Age - 35

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 - 35

Stress level

4.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a general warehouse

Explore general warehouse education requirements

Most common general warehouse degrees

High School Diploma

49.2 %

Associate

18.6 %

Bachelor's

14.7 %

Start to develop specific general warehouse skills

Skills	Percentages
Pallets	19.99%
RF	18.62%
Pallet Jack	9.32%
Customer Orders	8.77%
Quality Standards	8.70%

Research general warehouse duties and responsibilities

Reconfigure WMS to manage company's new multi-brand strategy.
Put all information into the WMS system for accurate account of each trailer that comes into company premises.
Operate forklifts removing pallets from inventory racks.
Verify proper logistics documentation to ensure destination and proper handling of hazardous material etc.

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