How to hire a Package Handler

How to hire a package handler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step package handler hiring guide:

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

What does a Package Handler do?

Post A Package Handler Job For Free, Promote It For A Fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your package handler 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 package handler 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?

   Yes

   No

   A package handler's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, package handlers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of package handlers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type Of Package Handler	Description	Hourly Rate
   Package Handler	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.	$12-19
   Sorter	A sorter is responsible for categorizing items after the production process. Sorters duties include utilizing factory equipment to sort products efficiently, monitor and exclude defective items, maintain a clean and organized production area, assist in loading and unloading items, perform repairs on malfunctioning equipment, and examine inventories requesting necessary supplies, and adhering to the safety protocols and regulatory procedures... Show More	$11-18
   Mover	Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes... Show More	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Warehouse Environment
   • Load Trailers
   • Delivery Truck
   • Safety Procedures
   • Load Packages
   • Load Trucks
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Supply Support
   • RF
   • Pallet Jack
   • Inventory Control Procedures
   • ZIP Codes
   • Delivery Vehicle
   • Package Handling

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
   • Read GPS maps for your driving directions.
   • Operate sit down forklift for loading, unloading and running material.
   • License to operate MHE (forklifts, tractors, etc . )
   • Load grind and air shipments onto designate trailers using sit down forklift.
   • Conduct post inspections to ensure guard force personnel proficiency and level of alertness.

   More Package Handler duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average package handler salary

   $15.76hourly

   $32,785 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level package handler salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 15, 2025

   Average package handler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Minnesota	$37,451	$18
   2	Washington	$35,984	$17
   3	New York	$35,708	$17
   4	Massachusetts	$35,385	$17
   5	Connecticut	$34,942	$17
   6	California	$34,723	$17
   7	Oregon	$34,626	$17
   8	Nevada	$34,480	$17
   9	Utah	$34,287	$16
   10	Wisconsin	$34,264	$16
   11	Colorado	$33,847	$16
   12	Indiana	$33,827	$16
   13	Pennsylvania	$33,735	$16
   14	New Jersey	$33,733	$16
   15	Kansas	$33,514	$16
   16	Kentucky	$33,420	$16
   17	Arizona	$33,367	$16
   18	Maryland	$33,229	$16
   19	Ohio	$32,798	$16
   20	Iowa	$32,266	$16

   Average package handler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	ALDI USA	$44,947	$21.61	4
   2	UPS	$39,391	$18.94	8
   3	Lamb Weston	$38,973	$18.74	3
   4	Hyatt Hotels	$38,965	$18.73
   5	Chewy	$38,826	$18.67
   6	Pfizer	$38,466	$18.49
   7	Mars	$38,284	$18.41	4
   8	Adient US LLC	$38,269	$18.40	5
   9	HD Supply	$37,582	$18.07	2
   10	Wegmans Food Markets	$37,192	$17.88
   11	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$36,927	$17.75
   12	Gordon Food Service	$36,724	$17.66	40
   13	Avantor	$36,092	$17.35	26
   14	Amazon	$35,822	$17.22	69
   15	Belcan	$35,492	$17.06	7
   16	Crew Technical Svc	$35,366	$17.00
   17	Iron Mountain	$35,063	$16.86	16
   18	J.W. Pepper	$34,833	$16.75
   19	Volt Information Sciences	$34,666	$16.67
   20	Cogent Communications	$34,633	$16.65

4. Writing a Package Handler Job Description

   A job description for a package handler 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 package handler job description:

   Package Handler job description example

   Up to $19 / hr depending on shift!

   Shift: Sunrise (4:15 AM - 10:00 AM)
   

   UPS Quick Apply

   Applying for this role online is quick and easy – and you could even schedule your first day of work within 30 minutes!

   The steps are simple:

   1) Create a profile so you can save your place in the process and keep track of your progress.

   2) Watch a couple of short videos to see what the job is really like.

   3) Provide some basic information in our online application process.

   4) Receive your job offer and schedule your first day of work.

   SHIFT YOUR TEAM

   Who exactly are UPS Warehouse Workers? Also known as Package Handlers, many of our WarehouseWorkers start out as seasonal employees but we also hire warehouse workers throughout the year. They are a diverse, collaborative, energetic team who enjoy fast-paced work.

   So what does it take to make it through a busy shift moving boxes and packages?

   • The ability to lift up to 70 lbs
   • Stamina – this is a workout like no other!
   • Legal right to work in the U.S.
   • An eye for detail
   • Reliability, responsibility, and a really good pair of work shoes

   SHIFT YOUR BENEFITS

   What’s in it for you? You’ve read about the quick application process, tight team, and active work… but what else do we offer to that makes being a UPS Warehouse Worker such a great gig?

   • Excellent weekly pay
   • Safe work environment
   • Up to $25,000 in tuition assistance
   • 401(k)
   • Medical, dental and vision after waiting period
   • And so much more

   SHIFT YOUR PURPOSE

   So what is UPS all about? Well, you’re probably already familiar with us – we’re the brown trucks delivering everything from diapers and dish towels to holiday gifts and college care packages to life-saving medicines.

   But we’re more than that. We’re also hardworking, efficient package handlers and friendly, focused drivers. We’re professionals working in finance, IT, engineering, marketing, and more. We are building our business ethically, safely, sustainably, and in an environmentally conscientious way. We are here to deliver what truly matters – to customers, communities, colleagues, the world, and you and your career.

   
   UPS is an equal opportunity employer. UPS does not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right package handler 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 package handlers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit package handlers 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 package handler job on Zippia to find and recruit package handler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting package handlers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 package handler

   Once you have selected a candidate for the package handler 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new package handler. 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 package handler?