How to hire a Loader/Unloader

How to hire a loader/unloader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step loader/unloader 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/unloader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new loader/unloader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Loader/Unloader do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your loader/unloader job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a loader/unloader for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

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

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   A loader/unloader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, loader/unloaders 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.

   This list presents loader/unloader salaries for various positions.

   Type Of Loader/Unloader	Description	Hourly Rate
   Loader/Unloader	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.	$12-18
   Warehouse Labour	Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution... Show More	$12-18
   Warehouse Worker	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... Show More	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Inventory Control
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Pallets
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Safety Procedures
   • Delivery Truck
   • Load Trucks
   • Unload Trucks
   • Hand Trucks
   • Unload Trailers
   • RF Scanner
   • Assembly Line
   • Conveyor Belts
   • Delivery Vehicle

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Check boxes for leaks or damages so they can be send to back to QA.
   • Provide QA and material damage reports.
   • Position also require the use of RF equipment.
   • Load shingles on roof tops during the summer time.
   • Roof LoaderLoading shingles and unloading other roofing materials onto roofs.
   • Stock groceries and freight, unload trucks, condition aisles.

   More Loader/Unloader duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the loader/unloader job description is a good way to get more applicants. A loader/unloader salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a loader/unloader in North Carolina may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level loader/unloader. Additionally, a loader/unloader with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average loader/unloader salary

   $15.30hourly

   $31,827 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level loader/unloader salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated June 19, 2025

   Average loader/unloader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Washington	$36,965	$18
   2	Oregon	$36,390	$18
   3	California	$35,210	$17
   4	Wisconsin	$34,979	$17
   5	Maine	$34,631	$17
   6	Colorado	$34,350	$17
   7	Arizona	$32,675	$16
   8	Utah	$32,378	$16
   9	Illinois	$32,031	$15
   10	Pennsylvania	$31,648	$15
   11	Indiana	$31,043	$15
   12	Kansas	$30,985	$15
   13	New Jersey	$30,874	$15
   14	Ohio	$30,725	$15
   15	Missouri	$29,698	$14
   16	Texas	$28,302	$14
   17	Georgia	$27,325	$13
   18	Oklahoma	$26,977	$13
   19	Tennessee	$26,737	$13
   20	South Carolina	$26,501	$13

   Average loader/unloader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Bunge	$39,911	$19.19	2
   2	Land O'Lakes	$38,855	$18.68	5
   3	Benjamin Moore	$38,401	$18.46
   4	Johnson Controls	$38,388	$18.46	7
   5	Cargill	$38,006	$18.27	21
   6	Eaton	$36,898	$17.74	18
   7	JBS USA	$36,870	$17.73	4
   8	Stanley Black & Decker	$36,722	$17.65	25
   9	XPO Logistics	$36,610	$17.60
   10	SPX	$36,045	$17.33	4
   11	Hartung Glass	$35,960	$17.29	2
   12	Flex-N-Gate	$35,637	$17.13	1
   13	Martinrea International	$35,590	$17.11	4
   14	Sysco	$35,493	$17.06	30
   15	Cintas	$35,041	$16.85	10
   16	Unison Comfort	$34,847	$16.75
   17	CoorsTek	$34,632	$16.65	4
   18	On Target LLC	$34,554	$16.61
   19	LTD Commodities	$34,483	$16.58
   20	Royal Manufacturing	$34,034	$16.36

4. Writing a Loader/Unloader Job Description

   A job description for a loader/unloader role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a loader/unloader job description:

   Loader/Unloader job description example

   The Loader/Unloader will operate light-to-heavy equipment (ex. straight truck, with body, semi tractor-trailer and pay loader) around the facility to unload and load product in reasonable timeframe to ensure steady flow of materials.
   Essential Duties/Responsibilities
   
   Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
   Operate yard and plant equipment to load and unload materials. Check product for and remove any foreign materials, such as plastic, wood or metal. Safely drive equipment around yard and in reload station Ability to safely back up truck or semi, set dolly, hook up back trailer to designated area or lot location as required. Able to tarp and un tarp trailers. Wash plant equipment, vehicles, and processing areas as necessary using pressure washer. Perform general cleaning as needed in work areas. Maintain safety as top priority in accordance with all company safety rules and regulations. Review and evaluate qualitative data reports to verify that product meets Company specifications. All other duties as assigned.
   Minimum Qualifications
   Must be at least 18 years of age. Manufacturing, industrial, or agricultural experience preferred.
   Preferred Qualifications
   High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred. Experience working in a rendering operation a plus. Basic math skills; ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers. Good oral and written skills; able to follow oral and written directions. Ability to comprehend and follow instructions. Ability to deal with minor problems involving equipment or various situations.
   Physical Demands
   Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, and crouch. Occasionally must push, pull, move or lift up to 100 lbs. Regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
   Work Environment
   
   Job functions will be carried out in a plant environment which requires tolerance for wet and/or slippery floors, and high heat and/or cold temperatures.
   
   Darling Ingredients Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or, protected veteran status. EEO is the Law: If you would like more information, please click on the link or paste into your browser:

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5. Post your job

   To find the right loader/unloader for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with loader/unloaders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit loader/unloaders who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with loader/unloader candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 loader/unloader

   Once you have selected a candidate for the loader/unloader 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new loader/unloader. 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/unloader?