If you are looking for the warehouse worker salary in the USA, the pay can be different by state, company, warehouse type, shift and experience. In 2026, a warehouse worker in the United States can commonly see pay around the mid-$30,000s per year, while hourly warehouse jobs are often around $16 to $19 an hour. The latest BLS May 2025 data for the closely related occupation Stockers and Order Fillers shows a national median wage of about $37,330 per year, or $17.95 per hour. Other warehouse jobs, especially material moving and freight handling work, can have different pay levels.
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Warehouse Worker Salary in the USA
A warehouse worker usually works inside a warehouse, distribution center, fulfillment center or storage facility. The job can include receiving products, moving boxes, picking customer orders, packing items, checking inventory, loading and unloading shipments and keeping products in the right place. Some workers also use pallet jacks, barcode scanners or forklifts, depending on the job. The warehouse worker salary is mostly paid hourly, especially for entry-level positions, although some experienced workers and warehouse leads can move into higher paid roles. BLS data shows that Stockers and Order Fillers had a national median wage of $37,330 in May 2025, while Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand had a mean annual wage of $42,260.
For people searching how much does a warehouse worker make, the simple answer is that many warehouse jobs are around $17 to $18 per hour, but actual pay can be lower or higher depending on the employer and location. Job-board salary data can also show slightly different numbers because it uses job postings and its own salary estimates. For example, ZipRecruiter reported about $36,004 a year, or $17.31 an hour, for Warehouse Worker in September 2026.
Warehouse Worker Salary by State
Warehouse worker pay is not the same across all parts of the United States. The table below uses the May 2025 BLS-based median wage for Stockers and Order Fillers, which is one of the closest nationwide occupational categories for common warehouse worker duties. The figures are annual median wages, so they show the middle point of reported wages rather than a guaranteed starting salary.
| State | Median Annual Salary | Median Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Alaska | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Arizona | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Arkansas | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| California | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Colorado | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Connecticut | $40,590 | $19.51 |
| Delaware | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Florida | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Georgia | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Hawaii | $39,300 | $18.90 |
| Idaho | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Illinois | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Indiana | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Iowa | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Kansas | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Kentucky | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Louisiana | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Maine | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Maryland | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Massachusetts | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Michigan | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Minnesota | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Mississippi | $34,270 | $16.47 |
| Missouri | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Montana | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Nebraska | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Nevada | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| New Jersey | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| New Mexico | $35,830 | $17.22 |
| New York | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| North Carolina | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| North Dakota | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Ohio | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Oklahoma | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Oregon | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Rhode Island | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| South Carolina | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| South Dakota | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Tennessee | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Texas | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Utah | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Vermont | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Virginia | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Washington | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| West Virginia | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Wisconsin | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Wyoming | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| District of Columbia | $39,640 | $19.06 |
The state figures show why someone searching warehouse worker salary by state can get very different answers depending on location. In the May 2025 data, Washington had a median of $44,620 for Stockers and Order Fillers, while California was at $42,870 and Oregon at $43,480. On the other side, Alabama was $34,290 and Mississippi was $34,270. These numbers are occupational wage estimates and should not be treated as a guaranteed offer from a warehouse employer.
How Much Does a Warehouse Worker Make an Hour?
People searching how much does a warehouse worker make an hour will usually see an hourly wage instead of a fixed yearly salary. The exact warehouse worker hourly pay depends on the job title and employer. For example, the BLS May 2025 data shows a mean wage of about $19.01 per hour for Stockers and Order Fillers and about $20.32 per hour for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. The median for Stockers and Order Fillers was $17.95 per hour.
New warehouse workers may start around the lower part of the local pay range, while workers doing heavier material handling, shipping, loading or other responsibilities can earn more. Night shifts, weekend schedules, overtime and some company incentives can also change the final paycheck.
How Much Does a Warehouse Worker Make a Year?
The answer to how much does a warehouse worker make a year depends on which type of warehouse work is being counted. BLS reports a May 2025 mean annual wage of $39,540 for Stockers and Order Fillers and $42,260 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. The median annual wage for Stockers and Order Fillers was $37,330.
These figures are useful for understanding the general market, but a person applying for a warehouse job should look at the hourly rate, scheduled hours and overtime rules in the actual job offer. A $18 hourly job and a $21 hourly job can produce different yearly income if their hours, overtime or employment schedules are not the same.
Warehouse Worker Starting Salary
The warehouse worker starting salary is normally lower than the pay of workers who already have experience or extra responsibilities. Many entry-level warehouse jobs do not require a college degree or a special professional license. BLS says hand laborers and material movers generally have no formal educational credential requirement and normally receive short-term on-the-job training.
Starting pay can be affected by the local minimum wage, labor market, warehouse size, shift and type of products handled. A new worker may begin with picking, packing, loading or general warehouse duties and later move into forklift operation, inventory work, shipping and receiving, or a lead position.
Entry Level Warehouse Worker Salary
An entry level warehouse worker salary is often based on an hourly rate because many warehouse positions are hourly jobs. Entry-level workers may not have previous warehouse experience, and employers often provide basic training after hiring. BLS describes this occupation group as work that can be learned through short-term on-the-job training.
Entry-level workers should also check whether the advertised wage includes a shift differential or other additional pay. Some warehouse facilities operate early morning, evening or overnight shifts, and BLS notes that schedules in this type of work can include nights and weekends.
- Picking and packing: Workers collect products, prepare orders and package items for shipment.
- Loading and unloading: Workers move boxes, pallets and other materials between trucks and warehouse areas.
- Inventory support: Workers may scan products, count stock and place items in assigned locations.
- General warehouse work: Workers can be asked to clean work areas, move materials and support daily warehouse operations.
Warehouse Worker Salary With No Experience
The warehouse worker salary with no experience can still be competitive with other entry-level jobs because many basic warehouse positions do not require previous warehouse experience. The BLS occupational information says there is usually no formal educational credential requirement for hand laborers and material movers.
However, no experience does not mean every warehouse job pays the same. A distribution center in a high-wage area may offer a different starting rate than a small warehouse in another state. The employer can also pay more when the job requires heavy lifting, specialized equipment, strict production targets or less popular shifts.
Warehouse Associate Salary
Warehouse associate salary is another common search term used for warehouse jobs. Warehouse associate can be a broad job title and the actual duties can change from one employer to another. One company may use the title for picking and packing work, while another may include shipping, receiving, inventory or material handling.
Because of this, it is better to read the job description instead of judging the pay only from the job title. BLS data for related occupations provides a useful national benchmark, but individual warehouse associate jobs can have different pay depending on location, duties and experience.
Warehouse Worker Pay by Experience
Warehouse worker pay can increase as a worker gains experience and learns more parts of the operation. A person who starts with basic order picking may later become responsible for inventory, shipping and receiving, equipment operation or team support. Experience itself does not guarantee a higher wage, but additional skills and responsibilities can make a worker eligible for different warehouse positions.
- New worker: Usually starts with basic warehouse tasks and company training.
- Experienced worker: May handle multiple warehouse functions and work with less supervision.
- Skilled equipment operator: May operate forklifts or other material-moving equipment when properly trained and authorized.
- Lead worker: May help organize daily work and support other warehouse employees.
- Supervisor: Has additional responsibility for employees, production, safety and warehouse operations.
Warehouse Worker Overtime Pay
Warehouse worker overtime pay can make a noticeable difference in yearly income when employees work additional hours. Many warehouses operate long schedules because products need to be received, stored and shipped throughout the week. Whether overtime is available and how it is paid depends on the employer, job classification and applicable wage laws.
Workers should not calculate their expected yearly salary only by multiplying the advertised hourly wage by overtime hours. It is better to check the regular schedule, overtime policy, shift premiums and whether the position is covered by applicable overtime rules.
Warehouse Worker Benefits and Other Pay
Salary is only one part of total compensation. Some warehouse employers provide benefits in addition to hourly wages. The package can be different for full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal workers.
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid time off
- Retirement or 401(k) plans
- Employee discounts
- Shift differential
- Attendance or performance bonuses
- Overtime opportunities
- Paid training
Not every warehouse worker receives all of these benefits. Temporary and seasonal warehouse jobs can have different benefit arrangements than permanent full-time positions.
Warehouse Worker Job Outlook
The demand for warehouse and material-moving workers remains connected with retail, transportation, warehousing, manufacturing and online order fulfillment. BLS projects overall employment for hand laborers and material movers to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. Within the group, Stockers and Order Fillers are projected to grow 9% over the same period, adding about 250,700 jobs.
BLS also reports about 2.8 million Stockers and Order Fillers and about 2.9 million Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in 2025. The agency says demand for stockers and order fillers is supported by the need to prepare orders for pickup and delivery.
Warehouse Employee Salary
The term warehouse employee salary can cover many different jobs inside a warehouse or distribution center. A warehouse employee may work in receiving, shipping, picking, packing, inventory, loading or general material handling. Because of this, there is no single salary number for every warehouse employee in the USA.
For a useful national reference, the BLS May 2025 data reports a median annual wage of $37,330 for Stockers and Order Fillers and $40,240 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. The mean wages were $39,540 and $42,260 respectively.
Warehouse employees working in transportation and warehousing can also have different pay from workers in retail. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $44,710 for hand laborers and material movers working in the transportation and warehousing industry.
Warehouse Job Salary by Type of Work
A warehouse job salary can change quite a lot based on what the worker actually does. Basic picking and stocking work is different from operating material-moving equipment or taking responsibility for shipping and receiving.
- Order picker: Finds products and prepares customer or store orders.
- Stocker: Moves products into storage locations and keeps inventory organized.
- Packer: Packs products for shipment and prepares orders for delivery.
- Shipping and receiving worker: Helps receive incoming products and prepare outgoing shipments.
- Material handler: Moves freight, stock and other materials around the warehouse.
- Forklift operator: Uses industrial trucks to move pallets and materials when trained and authorized.
- Warehouse lead: May help coordinate workers and daily warehouse activities.
BLS reports that industrial truck and tractor operators had a May 2025 median annual wage of $46,420, showing how equipment-related warehouse work can have a different pay level from general stocker and order-filler jobs.
Warehouse Worker Salary Near Me
When people search warehouse worker salary near me, the most useful number is usually the wage for the exact city or metropolitan area where the job is located. Warehouse pay can be affected by local labor demand, cost of living, minimum wage rules, transportation activity and the number of distribution centers in the area.
National salary data is useful for getting a general idea, but it should not be treated as an exact local job offer. Two warehouse jobs with the same title can advertise different hourly rates even when they are in the same state.
Warehouse Worker Qualifications and Skills
Many basic warehouse jobs are accessible without a college degree. BLS says hand laborers and material movers normally have no formal educational credential requirement and usually learn through short-term on-the-job training.
Even when formal education is not required, employers can look for workers who can safely handle physical work, follow instructions, work with scanners or warehouse systems and keep up with daily production requirements.
- Ability to lift and move materials safely
- Basic reading and counting skills
- Ability to follow safety instructions
- Ability to work on your feet for long periods
- Basic computer or scanner skills
- Good attendance and time management
- Ability to work as part of a warehouse team
- Willingness to work different shifts when required
Warehouse Worker Work Environment
Warehouse work is normally physical work. Workers may spend much of the shift standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling materials. BLS says hand laborers and material movers work in stockrooms, warehouses, manufacturing plants and other locations, and their work can be repetitive and physically demanding.
Warehouse schedules are also not always the same as a normal daytime office job. Some facilities operate around the clock, so warehouse workers can have evening, overnight or weekend shifts. BLS notes that schedules may include nights and weekends.
Warehouse Worker Career Growth
A warehouse job can also be an entry point into other transportation, logistics and supply-chain positions. A worker who learns inventory systems, shipping procedures, equipment operation and team coordination may qualify for more specialized positions over time.
- Warehouse Worker
- Senior Warehouse Associate
- Inventory Specialist
- Shipping and Receiving Specialist
- Forklift or Material Handling Operator
- Warehouse Lead
- Warehouse Supervisor
- Logistics or Distribution Coordinator
Moving into a higher position normally depends on experience, company requirements, performance, available openings and the skills needed for that position. Higher responsibility does not automatically mean every employer will offer the same increase in pay.
Warehouse Worker Salary and Job Outlook
The warehouse workforce is large in the United States. BLS counted about 2.8 million Stockers and Order Fillers and about 2.95 million Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in 2025.
For Stockers and Order Fillers, BLS projects employment to increase from about 2.80 million jobs in 2025 to about 3.06 million in 2035, an increase of 8.9%. The projection also shows about 430,700 openings per year for this occupation, including openings created when workers leave or change occupations.
For the broader hand laborers and material movers group, BLS projects 4% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 904,200 openings per year on average. Many openings are expected because workers leave the occupation or move to other jobs.
Final Warehouse Worker Salary Summary
The warehouse worker salary in the USA is commonly in the mid-$30,000s to low-$40,000s per year for many general warehouse occupations, but the actual pay can be different by state, employer, warehouse type, shift and job duties. BLS May 2025 data gives a median of $37,330 for Stockers and Order Fillers and $40,240 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand.
Hourly warehouse worker pay is especially important because many warehouse jobs are paid by the hour. Workers should compare the regular hourly rate, expected weekly hours, overtime policy, shift premiums, benefits and opportunities for advancement instead of looking only at the advertised annual salary.
For someone searching how much do warehouse workers make, there is no one salary that applies to every warehouse job. A new worker may start with basic picking, packing or stocking duties, while workers with equipment skills, shipping experience or supervisory responsibilities may have access to different pay ranges. Overall, warehouse work remains a large employment area in the USA, with millions of workers across retail, transportation, warehousing, manufacturing and wholesale industries.