Warehouse Jobs and Careers

Warehouse workers are responsible for facilitating the storage, inventory and distribution of stock, providing an essential service to logistics, retail and storage companies. With a range of entry level and more senior positions available, warehouse work is ideal for people who enjoy physical work and want to have access to a wide range of job opportunities. Many warehouse jobs are atypical 9-5 shifts, making them ideal for part time workers wanting a second job and for those who prefer to work outside the standard office hours.

Most Common Job Titles and Descriptions

Warehouse Workers

Unskilled warehouse positions include retail Pickers and Packers, who select and send out pre-ordered goods for online retailers, and Warehouse Operatives, who take delivery of goods, check for damage, store and relocate goods, load goods for dispatch and keep comprehensive stock records. Because of the physical demand, a high level of physical fitness is required for warehouse worker roles.

Forklift Operators

Forklift operators are trained staff who use forklifts and similar machines to move bulkier items and large crates. These roles include loading and unloading trucks, relocating goods stacked onto pallets, performing equipment checks and helping with other warehouse duties.

Shipping and Receiving Supervisors

Shipping and Receiving supervisors oversee incoming and outgoing deliveries, making sure that they are complete and in good condition, and overseeing related documentation and records. They are also responsible for supervising and coordinating recordkeeping staff and activities and making sure that all records are up to date, inspecting shipments for quality and compliance, determining legal load limits and performing a wide range of other related duties.

Administrators

Warehouse administrators are essential for keeping the extensive records associated with freight and deliveries in order. They prepare documentation for shipments and process incoming paperwork, deal with enquiries from customers and clients, process returned items and perform other administrative duties.

Salary Statistics and Growth

Unskilled warehouse and packing jobs are generally better paid than standard retail work, with hourly rates ranging from $12 to $20. Supervisor roles pay $50K-$60K per year, and managers make on average between $50K-80K. At the higher end of the scale, analysts and engineers can earn salaries in excess of $140K.

Job Field Growth or Decline

With the current rate of growth of the retail industry and the increasing popularity of online shopping, the warehouse sector is growing year over year. The popularity of sites like Amazon, eBay, and Overstock are increasing steadily, and more retailers are now offering online sales and deliveries, making it easier to find warehouse related jobs.

Best States for Warehouse Jobs

Ohio

This Midwestern hub sees heavy logistics traffic between the Eastern Seaboard and the south and west. It’s also home to companies like Macy’s and Procter and Gamble, which provides many opportunities for warehouse jobs. Cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus are good places to search for warehouse positions.

Texas

Austin and Houston are both centers for logistics and trade, and people seeking warehouse employment will find a good selection of jobs in these cities.

Florida

With access to the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Florida is one of America’s busiest states in terms of port logistics. As a vacation hotspot, Florida is constantly importing consumer products to support the service sector catering to its many tourists. The Tampa Bay area, Orlando, and Miami offer the greatest range of warehouse jobs.

Michigan

As a center of the automobile industry, Michigan is host to a huge number of automotive and other warehouses and logistics companies. Within the state, the Grand Rapids, Detroit and Ann Arbor areas are the best places to look.

Job Certifications, Training, Education Requirements

While many roles do not require specialized skill, machine based jobs typically require some sort of machine-operating training or certification. These include OCR training, forklift licencing and other workplace qualifications. Search job roles to see specific requirements.

Where Can I Go From Here?

The warehouse sector is growing, offering ample opportunity for advancement within the field. Those starting at entry level will have opportunities for training and advancement, while senior level employees will find a wide range of positions across the country to advance their careers. Career changers with analytical, management and technical knowledge will find a range of warehouse careers that fit their skills.

Top 10 US Employers in This Field

• Amazon.com
• Target
• PepsiCo
• Coca-Cola Company
• The Home Depot
• Best Buy
• Uline
• Macey’s
• Sears
• Costco

Sources:

• https://marytruit.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/10-of-the-best-states-for-finding-warehouse-jobs/
• https://www.bls.gov/
• https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm
• http://www.payscale.com/