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How to hire a warehouse associate/driver

Warehouse associate/driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring warehouse associate/drivers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 666,806 warehouse associate/drivers in the US, and there are currently 171,807 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a warehouse associate/driver is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per warehouse associate/driver on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Denver, CO, has the highest demand for warehouse associate/drivers, with 11 job openings.

How to hire a warehouse associate/driver, step by step

To hire a warehouse associate/driver, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a warehouse associate/driver:

Here's a step-by-step warehouse associate/driver hiring guide:

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

What does a warehouse associate/driver do?

Warehouse associates/drivers are skilled warehouse employees who are responsible for operating forklifts and other equipment to perform the loading and unloading of warehouse products. These employees are required to manage and plan delivery routes so that they can develop safer and shorter routes to save gas as well as ensure on-time customer delivery. They must examine and inspect stock items for defects while reporting and damages to their supervisors. These employees must also receive and stock incoming inventory items as well as scan and organize them according to the company's health and safety regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a warehouse associate/driver does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your warehouse associate/driver 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 warehouse associate/driver 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a warehouse associate/driver to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a warehouse associate/driver that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of warehouse associate/driver salaries for various roles:

    Type of Warehouse Associate/DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Warehouse Associate/DriverMaterial recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.$12-19
    Customer Service, WarehouseA customer service warehouse is primarily in charge of providing customer support, mainly through calls and correspondence. Their responsibilities typically revolve around answering inquiries, addressing and troubleshooting problems, processing refunds, maintaining records of all transactions, and referring them to other services when necessary... Show more$12-17
    Delivery Driver/WarehouseA warehouse delivery driver is responsible for transporting goods and services from the warehouse to different assigned locations. Warehouse delivery drivers record the inventory materials receipt before and after delivery to ensure the merchandise's correct quantity and quality... Show more$12-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Pallets
    • Safety Regulations
    • Cleanliness
    • OSHA
    • Customer Orders
    • CDL
    • Warehouse Operations
    • Good Communication
    • Math
    • Inventory Control
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Basic Math
    • Delivery Truck
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Pick orders using RF scanners and effectively prepare orders for shipment.
    • Ensure quality and quantity of all material are correct as specified by RF scanner.
    • Assist the warehouse management in handling the cleanliness of the work area and inspecting the safe operation of the vehicles
    • Transport tables, chairs, dishes, tents, and other rental equipment in a non CDL box truck.
    • Maintain cleanliness and presentation of warehouse.
    • Wrapped orders onto pallets safely for delivery.
    More warehouse associate/driver duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your warehouse associate/driver job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A warehouse associate/driver can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, warehouse associate/drivers' average salary in nebraska is 29% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level warehouse associate/drivers 33% less than senior-level warehouse associate/drivers.
    • Certifications. A warehouse associate/driver with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a warehouse associate/driver's salary.

    Average warehouse associate/driver salary

    $16.18hourly

    $33,659 yearly

    Entry-level warehouse associate/driver salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average warehouse associate/driver salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$41,032$20
    2Minnesota$40,888$20
    3Wisconsin$39,187$19
    4Washington$38,823$19
    5New Jersey$37,807$18
    6North Dakota$37,704$18
    7Connecticut$37,463$18
    8Illinois$37,387$18
    9Ohio$37,198$18
    10Oregon$37,065$18
    11California$36,805$18
    12Maine$36,316$17
    13Pennsylvania$36,237$17
    14Michigan$36,172$17
    15Colorado$34,297$16
    16Arizona$34,153$16
    17Georgia$33,014$16
    18Utah$32,951$16
    19Missouri$32,837$16
    20North Carolina$32,569$16

    Average warehouse associate/driver salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1MedShare$41,278$19.85
    2Olympic Steel$38,792$18.656
    3Room & Board$38,741$18.632
    4Land O'Lakes$38,655$18.5817
    5Fortune Brands Home & Security$38,368$18.452
    6Reef$37,945$18.24
    7Reyes Holdings$37,928$18.2366
    8Amica Insurance$37,903$18.22
    9Stryker$37,888$18.221
    10Five Below$37,513$18.0417
    11Hudson Group$37,412$17.99
    12Innovative Driven$37,114$17.84
    13HD Supply$36,956$17.77112
    14ApplicantPro$36,685$17.64
    15The Spring of Tampa Bay$36,629$17.613
    16C.H.I. Overhead Doors$36,511$17.55
    17Sherwin-Williams$36,387$17.4910
    18Sysco$36,355$17.48104
    19PVH$36,201$17.4023
    20DSM Services USA Inc$36,080$17.354
  4. Writing a warehouse associate/driver job description

    A warehouse associate/driver job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a warehouse associate/driver job description:

    Warehouse associate/driver job description example

    The warehouse delivery driver will increase operation efficiency, company profitability and customer satisfaction by accurately and safely receiving, storing, and delivering materials, as well as picking and packing for pickups and delivery.

    Prepare truck for operation by assisting in and overseeing the loading of trucks, securing of items and verifying the accuracy of shipping papers.

    Inspect truck tires, lights, brakes, fluids, etc. to ensure safe and cost effective performance with preventive maintenance in mind.

    Deliver orders via the most effective route to ensure complete orders are delivered according to established time frames and customer' needs.

    Maintain communication with company during deliveries to ensure any updated instructions are received.

    Document delivery, accuracy and receipt of orders by customers according to company directives and report any discrepancies to company.

    Maintain and monitor truck maintenance and driving record requirements and maintain required documents for safety, security and quality processes.
    Safely operate forklifts and other warehouse equipment as required. Maintain a safe driving record free of violations Pulling, filling, packing and setting up orders for delivery or pickup Follow any special instructions pertaining to an individual order Receive shipments Report any quality or inventory discrepancy issues to the appropriate person Communicate positively with supervisors, sales staff, fellow workers and customer to coordinate deliveries/pick-up Assist in keeping facility clean, neat, safe and operating efficiently Follow all established policy and safety guidelines in a drug-free workplace Present a neat and professional image Follow company policies and procedures Other duties as assigned Benefits: Full health, dental, and vision insurance. 401 k Paid Holidays Vacation Pay Employee Referral Program Employee Discount Plus more... $16.00-$19.00 PER HOUR
    Job Type: Full-time

    PM22

    PI194316790
  5. Post your job

    To find warehouse associate/drivers 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 warehouse associate/drivers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level warehouse associate/drivers 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 warehouse associate/driver job on Zippia to find and recruit warehouse associate/driver 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 warehouse associate/drivers, 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 warehouse associate/driver

    Once you have selected a candidate for the warehouse associate/driver 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.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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How much does it cost to hire a warehouse associate/driver?

Hiring a warehouse associate/driver comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting warehouse associate/drivers 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 warehouse associate/driver recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for warehouse associate/drivers is $33,659 in the US. However, the cost of warehouse associate/driver hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a warehouse associate/driver for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $12 and $19 an hour.

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