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Material handler/warehouse associate salary
Average material handler/warehouse associate salary
$15.76
Understanding Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Salaries
Material handlers and warehouse associates are essential in ensuring that goods are efficiently managed and transported. As of October 2025, the average salary for this role is $32,772 per year, or approximately $16 per hour. However, this figure can vary based on several factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions typically start at around $28,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $40,000 annually. This highlights the potential for growth in this career, particularly for those who gain additional skills or certifications.
Highest Paying Locations
Some of the highest paying cities for material handlers include San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, where salaries can exceed the national average by a significant margin. Understanding these dynamics can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
Conclusion
With a variety of opportunities available, those considering a career as a material handler or warehouse associate should focus on gaining relevant experience and exploring positions in higher-paying regions to maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Material Handler/Warehouse Associate earn more?
Material handler/warehouse associate salaries by experience level
Average material handler/warehouse associate salary by state
The average material handler/warehouse associate salary in Alaska, Minnesota, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average material handler/warehouse associate salary states are Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for material handler/warehouse associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $36,208 | $17.41 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $39,305 | $18.90 |
| 3 | Iowa | $35,912 | $17.27 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $34,712 | $16.69 |
| 5 | Nebraska | $37,976 | $18.26 |
| 6 | Washington | $37,943 | $18.24 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $33,452 | $16.08 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| 9 | Idaho | $35,454 | $17.05 |
| 10 | Alaska | $39,496 | $18.99 |
| 11 | Utah | $34,882 | $16.77 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $33,306 | $16.01 |
| 13 | Indiana | $33,186 | $15.95 |
| 14 | Oregon | $36,154 | $17.38 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| 16 | Arizona | $33,675 | $16.19 |
| 17 | Kansas | $32,997 | $15.86 |
| 18 | Montana | $35,383 | $17.01 |
| 19 | Vermont | $34,759 | $16.71 |
| 20 | Missouri | $33,771 | $16.24 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $34,017 | $16.35 |
| 22 | California | $35,344 | $16.99 |
| 23 | Michigan | $32,387 | $15.57 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $41,027 | $19.72 |
| 25 | Colorado | $35,642 | $17.14 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $38,047 | $18.29 |
| 27 | Ohio | $31,810 | $15.29 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $33,264 | $15.99 |
| 29 | Illinois | $33,312 | $16.02 |
| 30 | New York | $34,688 | $16.68 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $32,035 | $15.40 |
| 34 | Maryland | $32,442 | $15.60 |
| 35 | New Jersey | $31,442 | $15.12 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $32,494 | $15.62 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $31,009 | $14.91 |
| 38 | Maine | $31,356 | $15.07 |
| 39 | Florida | $31,419 | $15.11 |
| 40 | Connecticut | $31,993 | $15.38 |
| 41 | Georgia | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $30,822 | $14.82 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $30,428 | $14.63 |
| 44 | Alabama | $30,143 | $14.49 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $29,556 | $14.21 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $30,225 | $14.53 |
| 47 | Virginia | $30,393 | $14.61 |
| 48 | Delaware | $30,894 | $14.85 |
| 49 | Texas | $29,025 | $13.95 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $27,970 | $13.45 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $27,012 | $12.99 |
Highest paying cities for material handler/warehouse associates
The highest-paying cities for material handler/warehouse associates are Anchorage, AK, Puyallup, WA, and Hillsboro, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | $39,538 | $19.01 |
| 2 | Puyallup, WA | $38,064 | $18.30 |
| 3 | Hillsboro, OR | $36,134 | $17.37 |
| 4 | Hayward, CA | $36,099 | $17.36 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $35,641 | $17.14 |
| 6 | Missoula, MT | $35,452 | $17.04 |
| 7 | Bismarck, ND | $34,775 | $16.72 |
| 8 | Randolph, MA | $34,026 | $16.36 |
| 9 | OFallon, MO | $33,779 | $16.24 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,726 | $16.21 |
| 11 | Woodridge, IL | $33,343 | $16.03 |
| 12 | Memphis, TN | $33,234 | $15.98 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $33,122 | $15.92 |
| 14 | Lansing, MI | $32,385 | $15.57 |
| 15 | Jacksonville, FL | $31,531 | $15.16 |
| 16 | Allentown, PA | $31,488 | $15.14 |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $31,487 | $15.14 |
| 18 | Raleigh, NC | $29,629 | $14.24 |
| 19 | Fort Worth, TX | $29,123 | $14.00 |
Material handler/warehouse associate salary details
A material handler/warehouse associate's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a material handler/warehouse associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,772 | $2,731 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying material handler/warehouse associate jobs
The highest paying types of material handler/warehouse associates are material handler lead, material handler/forklift operator, and driver/material handler.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can Handler | $32,465 | $2,705 | $15.61 | 76,003 |
| Package Handler | $32,785 | $2,732 | $15.76 | 93,831 |
| Warehouse Labour | $31,746 | $2,646 | $15.26 | 218,654 |
| Warehouse Clerk | $31,564 | $2,630 | $15.18 | 235,973 |
| Warehouse Receiving | $32,814 | $2,734 | $15.78 | 193,563 |
| Warehouse Employee | $32,510 | $2,709 | $15.63 | 186,499 |
Top companies hiring material handler/warehouse associates now:
Which companies pay material handler/warehouse associates the most?
Material handler/warehouse associate salaries at Nestlé and BD are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average material handler/warehouse associate salary at companies like Staples and New York Air Brake are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nestlé | $40,584 | $19.51 |
| 2 | BD | $39,988 | $19.23 |
| 3 | Staples | $37,079 | $17.83 |
| 4 | New York Air Brake | $36,953 | $17.77 |
| 5 | Avantor | $36,656 | $17.62 |
| 6 | TTI Maumee Equipment | $35,688 | $17.16 |
| 7 | LSC Communications | $34,899 | $16.78 |
| 8 | Nestlé Waters North America | $34,849 | $16.75 |
| 9 | American Wire Tie | $34,216 | $16.45 |
| 10 | Ryder System | $34,081 | $16.39 |
| 11 | Zeeland Lumber & Supply | $34,035 | $16.36 |
| 12 | Cintas | $33,998 | $16.35 |
| 13 | Bertelsmann | $33,891 | $16.29 |
| 14 | Engineered Products | $33,431 | $16.07 |
| 15 | NGK Spark Plug MFG | $33,426 | $16.07 |
| 16 | US LBM | $33,328 | $16.02 |
| 17 | Blue Crew Holdings LLC | $33,328 | $16.02 |
| 18 | Penn Veterinary Supply | $33,246 | $15.98 |
| 19 | Select Express & Logistics | $32,894 | $15.81 |
| 20 | Penguin Random House | $32,584 | $15.67 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Material Handler/Warehouse Associate salary by industry
The average material handler/warehouse associate salary varies across industries:
- The average material handler/warehouse associate salary in the manufacturing industry is $38,110, the highest of any industry.
- The average material handler/warehouse associate salary in the finance industry is $36,004.
- Material handler/warehouse associates in the media industry earn an average salary of $33,775, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for material handler/warehouse associates
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| 2 | Automotive | $36,004 | $17.31 |
| 3 | Retail | $34,262 | $16.47 |
| 4 | Media | $33,775 | $16.24 |
High paying material handler/warehouse associate jobs
Material handler/warehouse associate salary trends
The average material handler/warehouse associate salary has risen by $7,761 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average material handler/warehouse associate earned $25,011 annually, but today, they earn $32,772 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for material handler/warehouse associates over the last decade.
Compare material handler/warehouse associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average material handler/warehouse associate salary over time
Compare material handler/warehouse associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Material handler/warehouse associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,800 | $15.76 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $31,100 | $14.94 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $29,800 | $14.31 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $28,500 | $13.69 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | $27,400 | $13.15 | +3.7% |
Recently added material handler/warehouse associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryder System Inc. | Warehouse Associate Material Handler | West Perrine, FL | 06/27/2025 | $34,081 |
| Proampac | Associate-Material Handling (Overnights) | Auburn, WA | 06/17/2025 | $43,827 |
| Ryder System Inc. | Warehouse Associate Material Handler | Kane, IL | 05/28/2025 | $41,239 |
| Manpowergroup | Material Handler/Warehouse Associate Forklift Driver | Milwaukee, WI | 05/22/2025 | $39,653 |
| Kelly Services | Warehouse Associate/Material Handler | Monessen, PA | 05/14/2025 | $41,740 |
| AP Recruiters Associates | Material Handler/Warehouse Associate (Account Specialist) | Iowa City, IA | 05/12/2025 | $61,754 |
| Zehnder Rittling | Warehouse Associate-Material Handler | Buffalo, NY | 04/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Autosales | Warehouse Associate-Material Handler/Receiving | Sparks, NV | 04/18/2025 | $37,775 |
| Kelly Services | Warehouse Associate/Material Handler | Asheville, NC | 04/10/2025 | $37,566 |
| Essex Industries Inc. and | Warehouse Associate/Worker/Forklift/Material Handlerload/Unloading | Milford, CT | 04/07/2025 | $40,363 |
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