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Order picker vs warehouse associate

The differences between order pickers and warehouse associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouse associate has an average salary of $32,863, which is higher than the $31,950 average annual salary of an order picker.

The top three skills for an order picker include customer orders, basic math and pallets. The most important skills for a warehouse associate are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.

Order picker vs warehouse associate overview

Order PickerWarehouse Associate
Yearly salary$31,950$32,863
Hourly rate$15.36$15.80
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs199,572215,910
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does an order picker do?

An order picker is responsible for obtaining particular orders from a warehouse or storage facility and having it processed for delivery, all while ensuring accuracy and speed. Most of the duties of an order picker revolve around physical work as there are instances where one must lift and transport heavy materials, and even assemble certain items. Furthermore, an order picker is also in charge of necessary administrative tasks, such as producing documentation, keeping records, processing inventory systems, and even responding to inquires.

What does a warehouse associate do?

Warehouse associates are employees who take on any task needed at the company warehouse. They receive incoming deliveries, store the items in their proper places, scan the items to log them into the company system, manage stocks and inventory, conduct product inspection to check for damages or defects, and maintain the overall cleanliness of the warehouse. Warehouse associates are also responsible for receiving purchase orders, assembling and packing products related to orders, checking the accuracy of the products relative to the order, and ensuring proper shipment of the products.

Order picker vs warehouse associate salary

Order pickers and warehouse associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Order PickerWarehouse Associate
Average salary$31,950$32,863
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORPortland, OR
Highest paying stateVermontNorth Dakota
Best paying companyUnited Natural FoodsUline
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between order picker and warehouse associate education

There are a few differences between an order picker and a warehouse associate in terms of educational background:

Order PickerWarehouse Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Order picker vs warehouse associate demographics

Here are the differences between order pickers' and warehouse associates' demographics:

Order PickerWarehouse Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 76.4% Female, 23.6%Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between order picker and warehouse associate duties and responsibilities

Order picker example responsibilities.

  • Used WMS and RF systems to pick and stage customer specify orders and lead a team of employees.
  • Used a stand up reach truck and RF scanner to replenish empty product in pick locations.
  • Obtain merchandise from bin locations using headset programming or RF hand hold device building correct orders for customers.
  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangements and properly tagging pallets.
  • Job responsibilities include picking orders using battery power pallet jack as well as doing inventory work
  • Pick cases from shelves for orders that are to be ship to different Kroger stores

Warehouse associate example responsibilities.

  • Rotate stock by code and receiving date - FIFO.
  • Create and ship documents for customs using DHL software.
  • Utilize RF gun for scanning duties include closing out invoices and assigning load plans.
  • Perform all tasks according to OSHA regulations and also attend daily safety tool box meetings.
  • Utilize a hand-held RF unit to select products/quantities for retail orders in a high volume warehouse.
  • Require consistent heavy lifting, math skills (primarily measurements), and fierce attention to detail.
  • Show more

Order picker vs warehouse associate skills

Common order picker skills
  • Customer Orders, 13%
  • Basic Math, 11%
  • Pallets, 11%
  • Warehouse Environment, 9%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
Common warehouse associate skills
  • Pallets, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Basic Math, 7%
  • Warehouse Environment, 5%
  • Math, 4%

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