Quiz: Should You Get a Warehouse Job?

Are you interested in making a career switch? Whether you’re looking for jobs as an entry-level, experienced, or professional warehouse worker, there are a ton of opportunities to be employed in this field.

While warehouse jobs don’t always require a special degree or background, this type of work can prove to be difficult for many. Knowing what types of warehouse jobs are out there and which might be a good fit for you is the first step in starting your new career. If you consider yourself to be reliable, detail-oriented, comfortable with working independently, and able to withstand physically demanding and/or repetitive work, then a warehouse job may be right for you.

Take our test below to see if you should start looking into warehouse positions!

TYPES OF WAREHOUSE JOBS

There are many different roles and positions you can take at a warehouse. Whether you’re interested in shipping, stocking, receiving, or any other steps in the warehousing process, there may be a role that suits you and your interests. Keep in mind that duties and responsibilities for each of these jobs will vary from warehouse to warehouse.

STOCKER AND STOCKING ASSOCIATE

Both stockers and stocking associates deal with incoming and existing stock in a warehouse. A stocking associate will obtain the stock at the warehouse and assess the products to make sure they are accurate. They may also be in charge of inventory, ordering replacement products, preparing items for shipping, and more.

A stocker is responsible for making sure that all of the shelves are totally stocked with items in the warehouse. These employees will receive items, keep on top of records, and organize and label merchandise.

Both stockers and stocking associates earn an average annual salary between $26,250 and $26,374 in the U.S.

LABORER

A warehouse laborer is in charge of performing manual labor within the warehouse. These employees are able to manage many different power and hand tools to help coworkers accomplish their tasks.

Laborers make a national average of $28,246 per year.

MATERIAL HANDLER

Similar to a laborer, a material handler will use power tools on a daily basis. This position, however, also requires knowledge of heavy and motorized machinery, like forklifts and packing machines, to be able to move pallets and materials around the warehouse and into shipping containers.

Material handlers often make around $28,413 per year at U.S. warehouses.

WAREHOUSE CLERK

Warehouse clerks make sure that a warehouse has the equipment it needs to run smoothly. They are also in charge of taking care of tasks such as unloading and loading trucks, organizing and packing, and mechanizing and completing orders.

Warehouse clerks make a national average of $29,120 yearly.

FORKLIFT OPERATOR

Forklift operators have the responsibility to use a forklift to move large shipments and materials around the warehouse. Oftentimes, they must make sure that shipments are being moved to the right locations while ensuring safety for themselves and others. They also may also need to keep records of inventory, point out merchandise issues or damages, and keep up with inventory organization.

A forklift operator can expect to make around $30,618 per year.

LOADER/UNLOADER

Loaders help with loading and unloading delivery trucks to maintain inventory levels in the warehouse. They must keep careful track of loaded and unloaded items and frequently operate machinery. Loaders are a critical part of the warehouse team because their work allows all the other processes in the warehouse to run smoothly.

In the U.S., loaders typically make about $29,453 per year.

ARE WAREHOUSE JOBS EASY TO GET? HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A WAREHOUSE JOB

Warehouse jobs aren’t necessarily hard to obtain, and you often don’t need much education to qualify for the job. It is absolutely possible to get a job as a warehouse worker with a high school diploma or GED. Only 9.6% of warehouse workers have a bachelor’s degree under their belt. Moreover, less than 1% of warehouse workers have a master’s degree.

While warehouse jobs aren’t necessarily hard to get, they aren’t for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to complete the job safely and effectively. Although educational backgrounds are less important when applying for a warehouse job, remember that 8-hour shifts lifting, loading, and standing can prove to be extremely difficult for some.

QUIZ: SHOULD YOU GET A WAREHOUSE JOB?

Not everyone is fit for a warehouse job. Keep track of your answers to these questions to see if applying for a position at a warehouse is right for you:

1. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A DETAIL ORIENTED PERSON?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

2. ARE YOU DECENT AT MATH?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

3. WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A GOOD COMMUNICATOR?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

4. CAN YOU COMPLETE MUNDANE AND REPETITIVE TASKS WITH EASE?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

5. CAN YOU OPERATE MACHINES OR POWER TOOLS?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

6. DO YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ABOVE?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

7. ARE YOU ORGANIZED AND ABLE TO SORT THROUGH MATERIALS?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

8. CAN YOU DO HEAVY LIFTING AND PHYSICAL LABOR?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

9. ARE YOU RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

10. ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK FOR BETWEEN $12 AND $16 AN HOUR?

A. Yes

B. Somewhat

C. No

Check your answers! If you answered mostly A’s with a few B’s and little to no C’s, then a warehouse job might be a great fit for you.

WHERE TO GET STARTED IN YOUR WAREHOUSE JOB SEARCH

If you’re looking to get started in your warehouse career, you may want to consider consulting a warehouse staffing agency. Staffing agencies can help connect employees to their ideal jobs and positions.

LG Resources is one of the fastest-growing staffing agencies in the nation. Our focus on serving manufacturers and distributors helps businesses find the perfect candidates for their open positions. Our comprehensive screening processes during the hiring process help high-quality and well-equipped candidates match with the perfect employer.

If you’re a skilled and eager worker, ready to meet a company’s goals and beyond, consider applying with LG Resources. Check out our job seekers page today to see how we can help you start your career as a warehouse worker!