Warehouse jobs include material handlers, packagers, shipping and receiving clerks, maintenance crews and warehouse managers. Warehouse workers are often required to work at a rapid pace to meet shipping and receiving deadlines. The description for each warehouse job varies depending upon the specific work setting.
Physical Demands
Most warehouse jobs involve loading and unloading merchandise or assembly-line work. The work is physically demanding and requires lifting, bending or standing for long periods of time.
Skills
Shipping and receiving clerks and warehouse managers must have good record-keeping skills and an attention to detail. Material handlers may require training and certification to operate heavy-lifting machinery such as forklifts and cranes.
Work Environment
Depending on the industry and location, warehouse work may involve indoor and outdoor work in various climates. Cold-storage warehouses often require work in refrigerated or freezing temperatures.
Maintenance and Safety
Due to the physical nature of warehouse jobs, accidents or injuries may occur. Warehouse maintenance and cleaning crews help ensure that industry sanitation and safety codes are followed.
Pay Scale
According to 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistic estimates, warehouse laborers and freight handlers earn a mean average wage of $24,690 annually. The mean annual wage for shipping clerks is $29,180 annually.
