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How to hire a picker/stocker

Picker/stocker hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring picker/stockers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a picker/stocker is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new picker/stocker to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a picker/stocker, step by step

To hire a picker/stocker, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a picker/stocker:

Here's a step-by-step picker/stocker hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your picker/stocker 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 picker/stocker 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?

    A picker/stocker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, picker/stockers 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 picker/stockers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Picker/StockerDescriptionHourly rate
    Picker/StockerMaterial recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.$11-17
    Warehouse WorkerWarehouse 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
    Warehouse PickerWarehouse pickers are skilled employees who are responsible for pulling selected items from storage or warehouses and prepare them for shipment. These pickers must prepare the orders of customers on a pallet neatly and safely wrapped them with plastic wrap while processing their invoices... Show more$12-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Electric Pallet Jack
    • Stock Product
    • RF Scanner
    • Stock Merchandise
    • Customer Orders
    • Scan Gun
    • Safety Procedures
    • Load Trucks
    • Inventory Control
    • RF Gun
    • Assembly Line
    • Stock Shelves
    • WMS
    • Sales Floor
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Maintain restaurant and grounds cleanliness; quickly responding and resolving any unsafe/sanitary issues for the customers.
    • Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway
    More picker/stocker duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    Average picker/stocker salary

    $14.44hourly

    $30,042 yearly

    Entry-level picker/stocker salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average picker/stocker salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$34,352$17
    2Rhode Island$33,944$16
    3California$33,717$16
    4Minnesota$29,900$14
    5Tennessee$29,648$14
    6Illinois$29,161$14
    7New Hampshire$28,869$14
    8Nebraska$28,605$14
    9Wisconsin$28,200$14
    10New Jersey$28,042$13
    11Missouri$26,828$13
    12Kansas$26,810$13
    13Texas$25,910$12
    14Florida$25,837$12

    Average picker/stocker salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1MSC Industrial Direct Co$34,467$16.57
    2ARLINGTON$30,743$14.78
    3TKC Holdings$30,723$14.778
    4The Reserves Network$30,444$14.6417
    5Caliper Family of Companies$30,391$14.61
    6Staffmark$30,349$14.59
    7Carter's$30,188$14.51
    8Randstad North America, Inc.$29,677$14.277
  4. Writing a picker/stocker job description

    A good picker/stocker 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 picker/stocker job description:

    Picker/stocker job description example

    $3000 SIGN ON BONUS

    $16.50/hr plus incentive bonuses and shift differential

    No Mandatory OT or Weekends!

    Build a better career with MSC.
    Serving customer and community starts with the very best people doing their very best work. That is precisely what we have at MSC Industrial Supply Co., a leading North American distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services. Watch HERE to find out why you should work at MSC and join us as we continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace.

    WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
    A career at MSC includes generous benefits, rewards and recognition.

    • $3000 Sign on bonus
    • $16.50/hr. plus Incentive bonuses and shift differential
    • No Mandatory OT
    • Training and growth opportunities
    • Weekends off
    • Paid time off including holidays
    • Medical, dental, vision, and company-matched 401(k)

    MSC is growing—and going—strong. We seek a team player who thrives in a fast-moving environment to manually select product for orders and prepare for shipment, and transport pallets on motorized pallet jacks throughout our Customer Fulfillment Center.

    HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE

    You will have a hands-on role in our warehouse to ensure delivery of our vast product line to our valued customers.

    • Pick and count items from bins, flat stock and racks to fill orders.
    • Load, unload and move product by hand, tote or by skid.
    • Verify products using item numbers, descriptions, and quantity; inspect products for damage or improper packaging; and use RF equipment to validate items.
    • Batch orders and assign packing slips to pick product to totes via RF scanning.
    • Operate basic (i.e., electric pallet jack, forklift) and advanced (i.e., turret truck, order picker) powered equipment.
    • Train cross-functionally in other departments and functions in order to support business requirements.
    • Follow safety guidelines at all times, meet specified productivity and quality expectations, and participate in Work Clean program.

    WHAT IT TAKES

    The motivated individual we seek should have these qualifications.

    • Basic computer skills
    • High school diploma or equivalent
    • Willingness to work overtime to meet customer’s needs
    • Valid state driver’s license, in some instances
    • Internal certification to drive powered equipment within specified time requirements
    • Internal certification to pick DOT-regulated items, if required
    • Physical demands to successfully perform essential job functions (reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities): standing, walking, lifting materials up to 75 pounds (individual or team), carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing stairs, climbing using legs and arms, balancing, stooping, kneeling, repeated bends, reaching high and low, repetitive twisting or pressure involving wrist and hands, hearing, seeing (depth perception and peripheral vision), mental coordination, mental alertness for entire shift, ability to wear personal protective equipment as required, and ability to operate at heights up to 50 feet
  5. Post your job

    To find picker/stockers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any picker/stockers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level picker/stockers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your picker/stocker job on Zippia to find and recruit picker/stocker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting picker/stockers 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.

    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 picker/stocker

    Once you have selected a candidate for the picker/stocker 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new picker/stocker. 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 picker/stocker?

Hiring a picker/stocker comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting picker/stockers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of picker/stocker recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for picker/stockers is $30,042 in the US. However, the cost of picker/stocker hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a picker/stocker for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $11 and $17 an hour.

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