How to hire a shipping operator

How to hire a shipping operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shipping operator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The shipping operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

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

   This list presents shipping operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Shipping Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Shipping Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$11-17
   Material Handler/Forklift Operator	A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved... Show more	$13-21
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Safety Procedures
   • Customer Orders
   • RF
   • Team Work
   • Troubleshoot
   • PPE
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Load Trucks
   • Rail Cars
   • Hazardous Materials
   • GMP
   • EX
   • Customer Specifications

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Receive large boxes on warehouse dock, scan product with RF scanner, and input product information into computer.
   • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
   • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

   More shipping operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your shipping operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A shipping operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, shipping operators' average salary in tennessee is 31% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shipping operators earn 35% less than senior-level shipping operators.
   • Certifications. A shipping operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a shipping operator's salary.

   Average shipping operator salary

   $14.36hourly

   $29,878 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level shipping operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

   Average shipping operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$33,218	$16
   2	Nevada	$31,463	$15
   3	California	$31,388	$15
   4	Maryland	$30,957	$15
   5	Indiana	$29,282	$14
   6	North Carolina	$29,086	$14
   7	Pennsylvania	$28,964	$14
   8	Ohio	$28,766	$14
   9	Idaho	$27,205	$13
   10	Virginia	$26,758	$13
   11	Georgia	$26,704	$13
   12	Florida	$26,635	$13
   13	South Carolina	$26,370	$13
   14	Arkansas	$26,056	$13
   15	Michigan	$25,407	$12
   16	Tennessee	$24,952	$12
   17	Texas	$24,934	$12

   Average shipping operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mars	$38,053	$18.29	13
   2	The Clorox Company	$36,965	$17.77	26
   3	Nucor	$35,093	$16.87	21
   4	Crown Equipment	$33,919	$16.31	7
   5	Chevron	$33,807	$16.25	4
   6	CMC Motocross	$33,071	$15.90	21
   7	Koch Industries	$32,819	$15.78	8
   8	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$31,094	$14.95	386
   9	Georgia-Pacific	$31,066	$14.94	10
   10	Kelly Services	$30,969	$14.89	191
   11	Ingles Markets	$30,897	$14.85
   12	Publix	$30,880	$14.85	39
   13	TTI Maumee Equipment	$30,801	$14.81
   14	The Timken Company	$30,732	$14.78	14
   15	Automation Personnel Services	$30,574	$14.70	51
   16	Peoplelink Staffing Solutions	$30,362	$14.60
   17	Sika	$30,216	$14.53	18
   18	The AZEK Company	$30,004	$14.43	2
   19	ManpowerGroup	$29,941	$14.39	217
   20	United Natural Foods	$29,875	$14.36	5

4. Writing a shipping operator job description

   A good shipping operator 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 shipping operator job description:

   Shipping operator job description example

   Scentsy has several TEMPORARY openings at its newly-remodeled, and climate-controlled warehouse in Coppell, Texas! As a Temporary Shipping Operator, you would pick and pack orders to ship to Scentsy consultants and customers. Efficiency and accuracy is the name of the game in this job. These openings do have the ability to turn into permanent positions.
   Schedules are Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays, but never Sundays!
   
   Full-Time Days - 6:30am - 3:00pm $15.00/ hour
   Full-Time Swing - 3:30pm - Midnight $15.00/ hour + $1.25 shift differential
   
   Come work with an awesome team of people and a great company that values its employees! We offer competitive benefits, including medical/dental/vision, 401k match, tuition reimbursement, and reimbursement for gym membership.
   
   What You Would Do:
   
   Pick products from established zones based on information provided on pick tickets
   Review order, exchange defective product, or locate any missing product to ensure the order is satisfied completely
   Scan, assemble, and pack product utilizing appropriate containers and materials
   Print and affix shipping labels on packed boxes
   Verify packed product weight and shipping label matches the order in the computer system
   Maintain workflow through pack stations while maintaining accuracy and pace
   
   You Should Have:
   
   High school diploma or equivalent
   Be 18 years or older
   Previous relevant experience would be great but is not required
   Working knowledge of computers and applicable software
   Clear and direct verbal communication skills
   A positive attitude and customer service focused
   
   You Should Be Able To:
   
   Work 40 hours per week - when business is booming, some overtime may be required!
   Perform basic math skills (counting, addition, subtraction, etc.)
   Lift 50+ pounds repeatedly on a daily basis and stand and walk for extended periods of time. Must also be able to bend, squat, push/pull, reach above shoulder level, and perform repetitive manual dexterity
   Follow detailed instructions and make decisions within a limited scope
   Solve straightforward problems and seek guidance as needed
   Adhere to all established procedures, policies, and safety rules as outlined by the Company - we want you to be safe and successful!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find shipping operators 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 shipping operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level shipping operators 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 shipping operator job on Zippia to find and recruit shipping operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit shipping operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 shipping operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the shipping operator 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new shipping operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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