How to hire a loader

How to hire a loader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step loader hiring guide:

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

What does a loader do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a loader, 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

   A loader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, loaders from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of loader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Loader	Description	Hourly rate
   Loader		$12-18
   Driver/Warehouse Worker	A driver/warehouse worker is responsible for transporting goods and services from the warehouse or distribution center to specific destinations based on the delivery details. Driver/warehouse workers assist in loading and unloading items from delivery trucks, storing merchandise to the appropriate warehouse areas, operating various warehouse tools and equipment, and inspecting the delivery vehicle for any engine defects that might cause delays... Show more	$12-21
   Material Handler/Forklift Operator	A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Pallets
   • Loaders
   • Customer Vehicles
   • Semi Trailers
   • Load Trucks
   • Basic Math
   • Safety Procedures
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Delivery Truck
   • Math
   • Safety Rules
   • Safety Regulations
   • Sales Floor

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Mexico border, customs paperwork, and drayage for Lear, drayage/door to door movements for Nissan.
   • have the ability to operate a trackmobile.
   • Start off as Manifester, tendering BOL's and expediting loads.
   • Maintain all safety requirements as set forth by the company and OSHA.
   • Set pallet design to ensure the drivers' logistics would not be compromise.
   • Bill out trucks at the end of load, operate bobcat when need.

   More loader duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, loaders' average salary in alabama is 35% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level loaders 31% less than senior-level loaders.
   • Certifications. A loader 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 loader's salary.

   Average loader salary

   $15.78hourly

   $32,820 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level loader salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average loader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$38,939	$19
   2	Colorado	$38,807	$19
   3	California	$38,301	$18
   4	Pennsylvania	$36,651	$18
   5	Utah	$36,500	$18
   6	Kentucky	$33,978	$16
   7	Kansas	$33,565	$16
   8	Tennessee	$32,941	$16
   9	Virginia	$32,637	$16
   10	Illinois	$32,010	$15
   11	Oregon	$31,842	$15
   12	Missouri	$30,005	$14
   13	Indiana	$29,079	$14
   14	North Carolina	$28,752	$14
   15	Mississippi	$28,627	$14
   16	South Carolina	$28,371	$14
   17	Oklahoma	$28,247	$14
   18	Georgia	$27,881	$13
   19	Texas	$27,151	$13
   20	Florida	$26,661	$13

   Average loader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Kemps	$41,573	$19.99	3
   2	Dairy Farmers of America	$41,400	$19.90	23
   3	American Woodmark	$40,534	$19.49	1
   4	Kloeckner Metals	$40,510	$19.48
   5	Steel Dynamics	$40,504	$19.47	13
   6	United Natural Foods	$40,436	$19.44	6
   7	Bunge	$40,366	$19.41
   8	American Crystal Sugar	$39,533	$19.01
   9	Marvin and	$39,426	$18.95	9
   10	Martin Marietta	$39,046	$18.77	17
   11	U.S. Silica	$38,942	$18.72	2
   12	Johnson Controls	$38,851	$18.68	6
   13	ABB	$38,792	$18.65	5
   14	Lamb Weston	$38,711	$18.61	3
   15	Igloo Coolers	$38,704	$18.61
   16	US Foods	$38,568	$18.54	35
   17	PepsiCo	$38,549	$18.53	2
   18	Nucor	$38,348	$18.44	5
   19	Metals USA	$38,274	$18.40	10
   20	Cargill	$38,228	$18.38	24

4. Writing a loader job description

   A good loader 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 loader job description:

   Loader job description example

   Rooftop Loader FULL-TIME
   $17/hr Starting pay $20/hr up to $22/hr, depending on experience. Must be safety oriented as safety is our number one priority. Job requires accompanying drivers to job site to unload materials to the roof top, loading and unloading trucks, periodically working in the warehouse. you will have interaction with the public and contractors so being a self starter and motivated is key. Beacon is a family oriented company that puts it's people first and prides itself and building more. If this sounds like a good fit for you lets talk. Thank you PDX-01 WS-01
   Schedule
   Shift start: 6:30AM
   Shift length: 8 - 14 hours
   Monday - Friday
   Benefits
   Health, dental, vision insurance - available after 30 days Paid time off 401(k) plan
   Qualifications
   Must pass drug screen (cannabis included) Must pass background check Can lift 80 lbs Must be at least 18+ years old 1 to 3 months related experience
   
   About Beacon Building Products
   Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Beacon is the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing materials and complementary building products in the United States and Canada. We are among the oldest and most established distributors in the industry. Beacon is a leading provider of commercial and residential roofing, siding, windows, decking, insulation, specialty lumber, waterproofing, and air barrier systems to the North American building industry. We have supported contractors who rely on us to help them save time and build more for nearly 100 years. Our team of more than 6,000 employees throughout North America works to ensure contractors have immediate, local access to the building supplies and roofing products they need, exactly when they need them. Through strategic investments in new technology and an ever-expanding network of locations throughout the United States and Canada, we help contractors save time, manage work more efficiently, and enhance their businesses.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right loader 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 loader job on Zippia to find and recruit loader candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit loaders, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 loader

   Once you've found the loader candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 loader. 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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How much does it cost to hire a loader?