Warehouse Associate Job Description: Duties, Skills & Pay

A warehouse associate keeps products moving from the receiving dock to the customer. Typical duties include:

Exact duties vary by employer, so always read the job posting.

• Unload incoming shipments and check them against packing lists
• Inspect products for damage and report problems
• Put away stock in the correct locations
• Pick orders accurately using an RF scanner or a pick list
• Pack and label orders for shipping
• Load trucks and stage pallets for outbound shipments
• Operate pallet jacks and, if trained and certified, forklifts
• Count inventory and help with cycle counts
• Keep aisles and work areas clean and safe
• Follow safety rules and report hazards or injuries

• Ability to stand, walk, bend and lift for most of the shift (many job ads state a lifting limit)
• Basic reading and math for pick lists, labels and counts
• Comfort using handheld scanners and simple computer systems
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Teamwork and clear communication
• Reliability and good attendance
• Willingness to work early, late, weekend or overtime shifts when needed
• High school diploma or GED (some employers ask for it)
• Forklift training and evaluation for jobs that include forklift work, as required by OSHA

Warehouse associates work in warehouses, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. The work is physical and often fast-paced. Some buildings are not climate-controlled, and many employers run day, night and weekend shifts. Employers should give safety training and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) when the job needs it.

Warehouse associate is not a job title used by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The closest BLS group is hand laborers and material movers, which includes stockers, order fillers and hand packers. Their median pay was $38,220 per year ($18.38 per hour) in May 2025. Your pay depends on your state, employer, shift and experience.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Hand Laborers and Material Movers, median pay May 2025 (bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/hand-laborers-and-material-movers.htm).

Copy the bullets that match your real experience, and add numbers only if they are true:

• Picked and packed customer orders accurately using an RF scanner
• Received, checked and put away inbound shipments
• Loaded and unloaded trucks and staged pallets for shipping
• Operated pallet jacks [and forklifts] safely after completing employer training
• Supported cycle counts and kept inventory records accurate
• Kept work areas clean and followed all safety procedures
• Met daily pick and pack targets as part of a team

• Is warehouse experience required? Not always. Many entry-level warehouse jobs offer on-the-job training. Experience from retail, delivery or other physical work helps.
• Is a warehouse associate the same as a warehouse worker? Usually, yes. Employers also use titles such as material handler, picker, packer and order selector.
• Do I need a forklift license? In the U.S., forklift operators do not get a government license. Under OSHA rules, your employer must train and evaluate you, and certify that this was done, before you operate a forklift on your own.

Ready to write your resume? Use our free Warehouse Associate Resume Template in the Resume Templates section of Career Advice.