Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is a yard spotter and how to become one
A yard spotter moves trailers and containers around a warehouse or distribution center yard. They use yard tractors and forklifts to transport goods. Yard spotters must have good communication skills to coordinate with truck drivers, dispatchers, and other personnel. They work in a fast-paced environment and use attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of inventory and loading/unloading of goods. The job requires physical stamina and may involve working outside in various weather conditions.
Avg. Salary $41,542
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.06%
Asian 5.92%
Black or African American 12.83%
Hispanic or Latino 17.31%
Unknown 5.12%
White 57.77%
Genderfemale 6.05%
male 93.95%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a yard spotter?
Pros
Good pay
Opportunities for overtime
Opportunity for advancement
Flexible schedules
Potential for benefits
Cons
Long hours (up to 12-hour shifts)
Night and weekend shifts may be required
Monotonous work
Limited opportunities for creativity or decision making
High level of responsibility and accountability
Yard spotter career paths
Key steps to become a yard spotter
Explore yard spotter education requirements
Start to develop specific yard spotter skills
Skills Percentages CDL 34.04% Dock Doors 18.05% Loaders 10.52% Asphalt 7.09% Yard Truck 5.68% Complete relevant yard spotter training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New yard spotters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a yard spotter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real yard spotter resumes.Research yard spotter duties and responsibilities
- Manage mulching, fertilizing, watering and mowing activities.
- Maintain a clean floor so production run smoothly.
- Set forums to pour concrete, fish concrete, run few gas lines temp.
- Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
Prepare your yard spotter resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your yard spotter resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a yard spotter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable yard spotter resume templates
Build a professional yard spotter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your yard spotter resume.
Apply for yard spotter jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a yard spotter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first yard spotter job
Are you a yard spotter?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average yard spotter salary
The average yard spotter salary in the United States is $41,542 per year or $20 per hour. Yard spotter salaries range between $31,000 and $54,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do yard spotters rate their job?
Yard spotter reviews
The challenge of getting orders picked accurately and in a timely matter, unloading product and put away in proper place
I am rated everyday I average over 100% most workers are only pulling 40-60% . so I always have to pick up their slack
My job is simple. I like to work alone, I'm self motivating. I have more than 12 years doing this job, that was in Aviation. All the Air craft were larger than an 18 wheeler, I also have a CDL- Class A. The weather dosen't bother me. Overtime dosen't bother me. I prefer to work nights,but I'm open to work any shift.
Updated January 8, 2025
