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Warehouse lead vs warehouse associate

The differences between warehouse leads and warehouse associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouse lead has an average salary of $41,281, which is higher than the $32,863 average annual salary of a warehouse associate.

The top three skills for a warehouse lead include customer service, ladders and pallets. The most important skills for a warehouse associate are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.

Warehouse lead vs warehouse associate overview

Warehouse LeadWarehouse Associate
Yearly salary$41,281$32,863
Hourly rate$19.85$15.80
Growth rate-3%1%
Number of jobs123,344215,910
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4438
Years of experience4-

What does a warehouse lead do?

Warehouse leads are responsible for supply chain management in distribution centers. Their duties and responsibilities include supervising employees and evaluating their performance, meeting safety regulations, and monitoring deliveries and shipments. They are the ones who interact with customers and clients to resolve any delivery issues that may arise. They also help with some administrative tasks such as order and invoice processing and maintenance. This role applies to those with excellent communication skills, leadership capabilities, and strong attention to detail.

What does a warehouse associate do?

Warehouse associates are employees who take on any task needed at the company warehouse. They receive incoming deliveries, store the items in their proper places, scan the items to log them into the company system, manage stocks and inventory, conduct product inspection to check for damages or defects, and maintain the overall cleanliness of the warehouse. Warehouse associates are also responsible for receiving purchase orders, assembling and packing products related to orders, checking the accuracy of the products relative to the order, and ensuring proper shipment of the products.

Warehouse lead vs warehouse associate salary

Warehouse leads and warehouse associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Warehouse LeadWarehouse Associate
Average salary$41,281$32,863
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $62,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityAllentown, PAPortland, OR
Highest paying stateConnecticutNorth Dakota
Best paying companySilicon Valley BankUline
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between warehouse lead and warehouse associate education

There are a few differences between a warehouse lead and a warehouse associate in terms of educational background:

Warehouse LeadWarehouse Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Warehouse lead vs warehouse associate demographics

Here are the differences between warehouse leads' and warehouse associates' demographics:

Warehouse LeadWarehouse Associate
Average age4438
Gender ratioMale, 79.0% Female, 21.0%Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between warehouse lead and warehouse associate duties and responsibilities

Warehouse lead example responsibilities.

  • Help manage an accurate, revolving FIFO inventory and rigorously investigate any discrepancies.
  • Utilize AS400 computer maintaining data.
  • Enter and transfer products' data in ERP systems.
  • Assist with developing a new ERP system concentrating on warehousing functions.
  • Process all RTV transactions and prepare items for return as per vendor.
  • Process paperwork of RMA's and RTV's as directed from purchasing dept.
  • Show more

Warehouse associate example responsibilities.

  • Rotate stock by code and receiving date - FIFO.
  • Create and ship documents for customs using DHL software.
  • Utilize RF gun for scanning duties include closing out invoices and assigning load plans.
  • Perform all tasks according to OSHA regulations and also attend daily safety tool box meetings.
  • Utilize a hand-held RF unit to select products/quantities for retail orders in a high volume warehouse.
  • Require consistent heavy lifting, math skills (primarily measurements), and fierce attention to detail.
  • Show more

Warehouse lead vs warehouse associate skills

Common warehouse lead skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Pallets, 5%
  • RF, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Logistics, 5%
Common warehouse associate skills
  • Pallets, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Basic Math, 7%
  • Warehouse Environment, 5%
  • Math, 4%

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