How to hire a logistics associate

How to hire a logistics associate, step by step

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

What does a logistics associate do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The logistics associate hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   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 logistics 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 logistics associates and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Logistics Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Logistics Associate	Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, distributed, allocated, and delivered.	$13-22
   Demand Planner	A demand planner specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop forecast models that will help determine a supply chain's demands. They are also responsible for monitoring the inventory of products, maintaining knowledge and awareness on the latest trends, producing progress reports and presentations, establishing demand plans, and detecting any changes in the forecast, reporting them to management right away... Show more	$29-52
   Supply Planner	A supply planner is primarily in charge of maintaining a company's inventory of supplies, ensuring all are sufficient and efficient. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and counting the inventory, maintaining accurate records, reviewing receipts and other documentation, anticipating product demands, and liaising with vendors and suppliers... Show more	$23-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Standard Operating Procedure
   • Cycle Counts
   • Physical Inventory
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Pallet Jack
   • Pallets
   • Safety Procedures
   • Inventory Control
   • Management System
   • Customer Orders
   • Hazardous Materials
   • RF
   • Customer Service
   • Inventory Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage supply reorders, printing labels, domestic shipping, service and software support with FedEx.
   • Supply documentation to freight forwarders and carriers as necessary.
   • Work with freight forwarders to resolve issues and solve problems regarding transportation internationally and domestically.
   • Clean, sterilize, and fully stock ambulances prior to shift.
   • Put together freight for outgoing shipments, both LTL and small package.
   • Complete daily parcel and LTL orders, maintain inventory levels, and collaborate with multiple departments on large projects.

   More logistics associate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the logistics associate job description is a good way to get more applicants. A logistics associate 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 logistics associate in Iowa may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level logistics associate. Additionally, a logistics associate with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average logistics associate salary

   $36,379yearly

   $17.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level logistics associate salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average logistics associate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$46,261	$22
   2	Massachusetts	$44,875	$22
   3	New Jersey	$40,903	$20
   4	New York	$40,612	$20
   5	California	$39,656	$19
   6	Colorado	$39,444	$19
   7	Minnesota	$36,500	$18
   8	Indiana	$36,195	$17
   9	Arizona	$35,345	$17
   10	South Carolina	$34,948	$17
   11	Wisconsin	$34,886	$17
   12	Georgia	$34,585	$17
   13	Illinois	$33,140	$16
   14	Texas	$33,016	$16
   15	Florida	$32,319	$16
   16	North Carolina	$32,193	$15
   17	Alabama	$30,403	$15
   18	Tennessee	$27,476	$13

   Average logistics associate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	DCP Midstream	$53,483	$25.71
   2	AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers	$50,786	$24.42
   3	Relevante	$47,052	$22.62
   4	Danaher	$43,356	$20.84	5
   5	Bosch USA	$42,732	$20.54	2
   6	Reckitt Benckiser	$42,391	$20.38	1
   7	Bayer	$41,460	$19.93	1
   8	Supermicro	$41,161	$19.79
   9	PepsiCo	$40,661	$19.55
   10	Sunrise Systems	$40,490	$19.47
   11	Altra Industrial Motion	$40,427	$19.44
   12	Itron	$40,291	$19.37
   13	Center for Families & Children Inc.	$40,250	$19.35
   14	Mine Safety Appliances	$40,208	$19.33
   15	Ryder System	$39,576	$19.03	197
   16	Cambria	$39,329	$18.91
   17	Smith & Nephew	$38,754	$18.63	5
   18	Zoox	$38,717	$18.61	2
   19	Komatsu America Corp.	$38,699	$18.61	4
   20	ICONMA	$38,061	$18.30

4. Writing a logistics associate job description

   A good logistics 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 logistics associate job description:

   Logistics associate job description example

   Pay Rate: $16.00 per hour (TEMP TO HIRE)

   Full Time Shift Available: 1st- Monday through Friday - 6:00am-2:30pm with OT, will be given advance notice for OT

   Training for 2 weeks 6am-2:30pm- after associate successfully completes training, they can move to a flex schedule where they can choose to work 40 hours within M-F 6a to 6p time frame. Both positions below are currently available.

   What’s a typical day as Returns Processor Associate? You’ll be:

   This is more of a QC role; candidate will have the option to sit and/or stand for their shift.

   Receiving and inspecting returned products for defects from merchants

   Logging / documentation of findings into database (data entry)

   What’s a typical day as Returns Sorter? You’ll be:

   These positions will be less technical and more physical. Associates will be sorting and scanning product, or re-boxing or moving product around, etc.

   Position Requirements / Experience and Education:

   High School Diploma or GED required

   Must have some computer/data entry experience

   Some previous/similar experience preferred
   

   Company DescriptionAt Kelly, we’re always thinking about what’s next and advising job seekers on new ways of working to reach their full potential. In fact, we’re a leading advocate for temporary/nontraditional workstyles, because we believe they allow flexibility and tremendous growth opportunities that enable a better way to work and live (plus, did we mention we provide a ton of benefits?). Connecting great people with great companies is what we do best, and our employment opportunities span a wide variety of work styles, skill levels, and industries around the world.
   
   Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Kelly will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Kelly in advance.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find logistics associates for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit logistics associates, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 logistics associate

   Once you've decided on a perfect logistics associate candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new logistics associate. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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 logistics associate?