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Merchandise handler salary
Average merchandise handler salary
$15.31
Understanding Merchandise Handler Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Merchandise Handler stands at $31,855 annually. This translates to around $15 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and industry. For instance, entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced handlers in high-demand areas can earn more.
Salary Variations by State
In states known for their retail hubs, such as California and Texas, salaries tend to be higher. For example, the highest-paying states for merchandise handlers often include:
- California
- New York
- Texas
Furthermore, experience plays a crucial role. Entry-level handlers might earn close to the average, while those with several years of experience can command higher salaries, particularly in larger retail settings or warehouses. Understanding these factors can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
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Where can a Merchandise Handler earn more?
Merchandise handler salaries by experience level
Merchandise handler salary estimates from across the web
Average merchandise handler salary by state
The highest-paying states for merchandise handlers are Hawaii, New York, and Alaska. The lowest average merchandise handler salary states are Alabama, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for merchandise handlers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | $33,977 | $16.34 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $33,012 | $15.87 |
| 3 | Maine | $33,581 | $16.14 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $35,223 | $16.93 |
| 5 | Vermont | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $33,240 | $15.98 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $33,668 | $16.19 |
| 8 | Ohio | $31,391 | $15.09 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $31,356 | $15.07 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $30,074 | $14.46 |
| 11 | New York | $35,559 | $17.10 |
| 12 | Alaska | $35,411 | $17.02 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $32,761 | $15.75 |
| 14 | Montana | $32,718 | $15.73 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $39,945 | $19.20 |
| 16 | South Carolina | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 17 | Washington | $34,198 | $16.44 |
| 18 | Maryland | $32,695 | $15.72 |
| 19 | Oregon | $32,541 | $15.64 |
| 20 | Utah | $30,745 | $14.78 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $32,480 | $15.62 |
| 22 | Nevada | $30,076 | $14.46 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $37,902 | $18.22 |
| 24 | California | $33,494 | $16.10 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| 26 | Arizona | $30,237 | $14.54 |
| 27 | Georgia | $30,366 | $14.60 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $32,197 | $15.48 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $30,698 | $14.76 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| 31 | Texas | $30,995 | $14.90 |
| 32 | Illinois | $30,844 | $14.83 |
| 33 | Colorado | $32,277 | $15.52 |
| 34 | Indiana | $28,389 | $13.65 |
| 35 | Idaho | $29,461 | $14.16 |
| 36 | Kansas | $29,255 | $14.06 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $30,149 | $14.49 |
| 38 | Delaware | $31,012 | $14.91 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $28,565 | $13.73 |
| 41 | Missouri | $29,461 | $14.16 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $28,415 | $13.66 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $27,081 | $13.02 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $27,274 | $13.11 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $27,569 | $13.25 |
| 47 | Alabama | $27,652 | $13.29 |
| 48 | Florida | $27,825 | $13.38 |
| 49 | Michigan | $26,052 | $12.53 |
| 50 | Virginia | $28,195 | $13.56 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $24,708 | $11.88 |
Highest paying cities for merchandise handlers
The highest-paying cities for merchandise handlers are Taunton, MA, Palo Alto, CA, and Saint Paul, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taunton, MA | $35,273 | $16.96 |
| 2 | Palo Alto, CA | $33,737 | $16.22 |
| 3 | Saint Paul, MN | $33,282 | $16.00 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $32,746 | $15.74 |
| 5 | Springfield, OR | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 6 | Albuquerque, NM | $32,511 | $15.63 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $32,288 | $15.52 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $31,730 | $15.25 |
| 9 | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $31,447 | $15.12 |
| 10 | Naperville, IL | $30,894 | $14.85 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $30,735 | $14.78 |
| 12 | Salt Lake City, UT | $30,703 | $14.76 |
| 13 | Perth Amboy, NJ | $30,683 | $14.75 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $30,468 | $14.65 |
| 15 | Kingman, AZ | $30,362 | $14.60 |
| 16 | Manchester, NH | $30,105 | $14.47 |
| 17 | Cleveland, TN | $29,994 | $14.42 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $29,501 | $14.18 |
| 19 | Overland Park, KS | $29,266 | $14.07 |
| 20 | Sioux Falls, SD | $28,137 | $13.53 |
Merchandise handler salary details
A merchandise handler's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a merchandise handler's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $31,855 | $2,655 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying merchandise handler jobs
The highest paying types of merchandise handlers are stock unloader, driver/material handler, and dock worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Unloader | $43,736 | $3,645 | $21.03 | 75,994 |
| Dock Worker | $36,027 | $3,002 | $17.32 | 119,104 |
| Unloader | $32,885 | $2,740 | $15.81 | 63,202 |
| Mover | $33,187 | $2,766 | $15.96 | 4,222 |
| Warehouseman | $36,022 | $3,002 | $17.32 | 158,488 |
| Customer Service, Warehouse | $30,800 | $2,567 | $14.81 | 265,059 |
Top companies hiring merchandise handlers now:
Which companies pay merchandise handlers the most?
Merchandise handler salaries at The RealReal and UPS are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average merchandise handler salary at companies like Room & Board and Gap Inc. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The RealReal | $36,612 | $17.60 |
| 2 | UPS | $34,914 | $16.79 |
| 3 | Room & Board | $34,563 | $16.62 |
| 4 | Gap Inc. | $33,292 | $16.01 |
| 5 | Mattel | $33,149 | $15.94 |
| 6 | Jordan's Furniture | $32,679 | $15.71 |
| 7 | Black Diamond | $32,578 | $15.66 |
| 8 | Victoria's Secret | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 9 | L Brands | $32,124 | $15.44 |
| 10 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $32,016 | $15.39 |
| 11 | Macy's | $31,914 | $15.34 |
| 12 | Slumberland Furniture | $31,849 | $15.31 |
| 13 | Bath & Body Works | $31,611 | $15.20 |
| 14 | True Value | $31,543 | $15.16 |
| 15 | ManpowerGroup | $30,903 | $14.86 |
| 16 | Mast | $30,819 | $14.82 |
| 17 | Floor & Decor | $30,818 | $14.82 |
| 18 | The TJX Companies | $30,639 | $14.73 |
| 19 | acloch | $30,045 | $14.44 |
| 20 | Curacao | $29,958 | $14.40 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Merchandise handler salary trends
The average merchandise handler salary has risen by $7,544 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average merchandise handler earned $24,311 annually, but today, they earn $31,855 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for merchandise handlers over the last decade.
Compare merchandise handler salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average merchandise handler salary over time
Compare merchandise handler salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Merchandise handler salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,900 | $15.32 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $30,200 | $14.52 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $28,900 | $13.91 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $27,700 | $13.31 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | $26,600 | $12.79 | +3.7% |
Recently added merchandise handler salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Default | Weekday Warehouse Merchandise Handler | Salt Lake City, UT | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
| Do It Best Corp | Merchandise Handler-2Nd Shift | Wilkes-Barre, PA | 06/26/2025 | $38,088 |
| DSG | Floor Support-Retail Merchandise Handler | Memphis, TN | 06/26/2025 | $29,009 |
| Black Diamond, Inc. | Weekday Warehouse Merchandise Handler | Salt Lake City, UT | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Mattel | American Girl Merchandise Handler | Los Angeles, CA | 06/23/2025 | $35,479 |
| Crate & Barrel | Merchandise Handler I | Romeoville, IL | 06/23/2025 | $34,436 |
| DSG | Floor Support-Retail Merchandise Handler | Naperville, IL | 06/22/2025 | $34,436 |
| Dba Dufresne Spencer Group | Floor Support-Retail Merchandise Handler | Madison Heights, MI | 06/22/2025 | $32,244 |
| Dba Dufresne Spencer Group | Floor Support-Retail Merchandise Handler | Naperville, IL | 06/22/2025 | $34,436 |
| DSG | Floor Support-Retail Merchandise Handler | Madison Heights, MI | 06/20/2025 | $32,244 |
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