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How to hire a warehouse employee

Warehouse employee hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring warehouse employees in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a warehouse employee is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per warehouse employee on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 1,354,187 warehouse employees in the US and 186,499 job openings.
  • Houston, TX, has the highest demand for warehouse employees, with 7 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of warehouse employees.

How to hire a warehouse employee, step by step

To hire a warehouse employee, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a warehouse employee, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step warehouse employee 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 employee job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse employee
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a warehouse employee do?

A warehouse employee is responsible for assisting high-level operations of the warehouse or distribution centers, organizing merchandise inventory, packing and labeling products, operating warehouse tools and equipment, and processing shipment orders efficiently and accurately. Warehouse employees maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to avoid potential hazards and delay during operations. They assist in loading and unloading items from delivery vehicles to different areas of the warehouse. A warehouse employee may also perform administrative duties, such as responding to customers' inquiries and concerns through calls and e-mails, resolving complaints, and writing reports.

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

    Before you start hiring a warehouse employee, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or 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 employee 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 employee that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of warehouse employees and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Warehouse EmployeeDescriptionHourly rate
    Warehouse EmployeeMaterial 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
    Material Handler/WarehouseA warehouse material handler is responsible for assisting warehouse operations, moving merchandise from one place to another, labeling products, performing quality check procedures, packaging goods, and loading and unloading items from distribution vehicles. Warehouse material handlers operate warehouse tools and equipment for production, as well as ensuring the adequacy of stock inventory needed for orders and deliveries... Show more$12-18
    Warehouse Machine OperatorWarehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines... Show more$12-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Pallets
    • Customer Service
    • Cleanliness
    • Customer Orders
    • Plumbing
    • Inventory Management
    • Hand Trucks
    • Electric Pallet Jack
    • Safety Regulations
    • Delivery Truck
    • Load Trucks
    • RF
    • Logistics
    • Warehouse Operations
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage all FEDEX shipments and advise solutions to shipment issues.
    • Work in direct pack department, utilizing RF scanner to select and pack items for shipping to various stores.
    • Unpack shipment using RF scanner to check in parts, verifying condition and quantity before sending to staging area.
    • Assemble pallets of product according to company standards and specifications.
    • Assemble medical equipment-Deliver medical supplies to patients homes and medical facilities-Prepare supplies and packaging for delivery-Load packages according to borough
    • Operate power equipment including: order pickers, tuggers, reach trucks, and counterbalance forklifts.
    More warehouse employee duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your warehouse employee job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A warehouse employee salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, warehouse employees' average salary in kentucky is 34% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level warehouse employees earn 35% less than senior-level warehouse employees.
    • Certifications. A warehouse employee 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 warehouse employee's salary.

    Average warehouse employee salary

    $15.63hourly

    $32,510 yearly

    Entry-level warehouse employee salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average warehouse employee salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$37,481$18
    2Oregon$36,625$18
    3Massachusetts$36,477$18
    4New Jersey$35,581$17
    5Minnesota$35,258$17
    6Utah$34,870$17
    7Michigan$34,073$16
    8Illinois$34,011$16
    9Delaware$33,979$16
    10Colorado$32,625$16
    11Texas$32,447$16
    12Virginia$32,072$15
    13Indiana$31,685$15
    14Florida$30,546$15
    15Missouri$29,894$14
    16Iowa$29,795$14
    17Tennessee$29,759$14
    18Ohio$28,617$14
    19Mississippi$28,558$14
    20Arkansas$28,434$14

    Average warehouse employee salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1ALDI USA$39,244$18.8770
    2Thermo Fisher Scientific$38,423$18.4712
    3Daimler Trucks North America$36,958$17.774
    4US Foods$35,206$16.93232
    5Cardinal Health$34,521$16.60235
    6The Kraft Heinz Company$33,990$16.345
    7ASM Intl$33,392$16.05
    8Mygrant Glass$33,264$15.9985
    9Santa Rosa City Schools$33,182$15.95
    10Lewis Drug$32,912$15.823
    11Hajoca$32,625$15.6929
    12TransForce$32,258$15.51
    13SPS Corp$31,608$15.203
    14SIMOS Insourcing Solutions$31,562$15.1725
    15AmeriPride Services$31,441$15.12
    16Fern Exposition Services$31,316$15.06
    17Brenntag North America, Inc.$31,281$15.0416
    187-Eleven$31,177$14.999
    19Red Ball Oxygen Co.$31,064$14.931
    20Aerotek$30,993$14.90362
  4. Writing a warehouse employee job description

    A warehouse employee 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. Below, you can find an example of a warehouse employee job description:

    Warehouse employee job description example

    Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC Group, is a leading producer of packaging and graphic solutions, color and display technologies, functional products, electronic materials, and products for the automotive and healthcare industries. Together with DIC, Sun Chemical is continuously working to promote and develop sustainable solutions to exceed customer expectations and better the world around us. With combined annual sales of more than $8.5 billion and 22,000+ employees worldwide, the DIC Group companies support a diverse collection of global customers.

    Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of Sun Chemical Group Coöperatief U.A., the Netherlands, and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A. For more information, please visit our website at www.sunchemical.com or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
    Job Title: Warehouse Associate

    Location: Doral, FL

    Shift: 1st

    Pay: Based on Experience

    Overview: The Warehouse Associate is responsible for the receiving inks from various locations. Unloading trucks and properly storing the products.

    Essential Job Functions:

    + Inspects shipments as they are received making notations of discrepancies or damage.

    + Pull order for shipping.

    + Pack orders in a manner that they reach the customer in satisfactory and least expensive condition.

    + Coordinates with Customer Service the specific instruction needed for individual orders.

    + Preparing all shipping documents needed to ship the freight using the Sun Chemical approved carriers.

    We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance.

    Minimum Qualifications:

    + Lifting and moving up to 50 lbs. consistently

    + Good computer skills

    + SAP Experience preferred

    + HS Diploma or equivalent

    + Forklift Experience required

    It is Sun's policy that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to the position being filled. Sun prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identify, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

    No Code

    Job Posting Title: Warehouse Employee - Doral, FL


    External ID: 128220

    Street: 4405 N.W. 97th Ave.
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right warehouse employee for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your warehouse employee job on Zippia to find and recruit warehouse employee candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting warehouse employees 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 employee

    Once you have selected a candidate for the warehouse employee 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 warehouse employee. 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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How much does it cost to hire a warehouse employee?

Recruiting warehouse employees involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $32,510 per year for a warehouse employee, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for warehouse employees in the US typically range between $12 and $19 an hour.

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