Warehouses offer great opportunities for physically fit individuals who lack a college degree or work experience. Entry-level, unskilled workers could expect to start at around $18.00 per hour at many warehousing facilities.
Many warehouse jobs offer even better pay once a worker has gained some experience or learned certain skillsets. A warehouse worker with a college degree might find even more lucrative opportunities. Here is a run-down of the best-paying warehouse jobs. Information about salaries is taken from Indeed.com, Salary.com, and Glassdoor.com and could vary depending on region and other factors.
Truck Loader
Truck loaders stow shipments going out for delivery in trucks. They also unload deliveries from trucks and place them in the warehouse. The job requires physical stamina and an ability to lift heavy objects. Some warehouses might require loaders to have basic computer skills to check deliveries into the inventory management system. Packing trucks efficiently requires organizational skills and attention to detail. This job usually does not require higher education and pays between $18 and $25 per hour.
Forklift Operator
Forklift operation is considered semi-skilled labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations require forklift operators to be certified, but the training and certification process usually only take a couple days. Much of the training is available online, although a skills test requires someone to observe the operator and certify their competence.
Forklift operators at warehouses in the United States typically earn between $20 and $25 per hour. A forklift operator is among the higher paying warehouse positions for people without at least a two-year degree or specialized skills.
Receiving or Shipping Manager/Supervisor
Receiving and shipping managers are responsible for everything that happens at the loading docks. They train shipping and receiving clerks, manage inventory control, and work with budgets. They sometimes are the liaison between upper management and warehouse staff.
Salaries for people holding these positions are typically between $40,000 and $55,000 per year. Many companies consider these entry-level management positions and expect applicants to have at least a two-year degree. However, some facilities will train experienced workers without degrees for these management positions.
Quality Assurance Professionals
Quality assurance in warehouses could mean many things. One responsibility might be to ensure that all products are undamaged and suitable for sale before leaving the warehouse. These individuals might also monitor processes to identify areas of inefficiency. Enforcing compliance with health and safety regulations is also sometimes a quality assurance professional’s responsibility.
In most warehouses, these are mid-level management jobs that require a college degree. Salaries range from $65,0000 to $100,000 per year, depending on the size of the facility and the breadth of the employee’s responsibilities.
Process Engineer or Manager
Process managers are responsible for ensuring warehouse processes are as efficient as possible. As warehouses become more automated, the process engineers might be responsible for choosing warehouse management systems and implementing the software.
These individuals are usually mid-to-upper-level management employees. They generally have college degrees, often in a technical field. The job requires excellent computer skills and analytical expertise. Salaries range from $80,000 to well over six figures, depending on the specific job function and the employer’s size.
Something for Everyone
While some people think of warehouse work as requiring nothing more than physical strength, it is actually a field of increasing complexity. There are many opportunities for people without higher education or specific skills, but warehousing also has fulfilling and exciting management positions for those who have invested more into their careers. Many warehouse jobs offer better pay than positions in other industries available to people at similar skill levels.
HapiGig allows flex workers in all areas of the warehousing industry to connect with employers in need of temporary gig labor and pays above the industry average. If you are an experienced warehouse worker, consider signing up with HapiGig.