We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Do I Become a Warehouse Worker?

Dan Cavallari
By Dan Cavallari
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A warehouse worker may perform various tasks in a warehouse setting, including shipping, receiving, packaging, and performing inventory. The qualifications you will need to become a warehouse worker are minimal, and you will not need any specific level of education to secure a job. You will, however, need basic math and communications skills in order to work a warehouse worker, so it helps to be working on or have completed a high school education. Be sure to look into the application requirements at any warehouse you are interested in working at so you know what you will need to do in order to qualify for a position.

Stay in good physical condition as much as possible. Once you become a warehouse worker, you will likely need to perform duties that require heavy lifting, and you will spend most of the work day on your feet. You do not necessarily need to be in peak physical condition, but it certainly helps to be in decent shape. Many companies will require you to complete a physical examination performed by a doctor, and the job functions you can perform may be affected by the results of the physical exam.

Certain types of machinery are commonly used in warehouses, so if you want to increase your chances of getting a job as a warehouse worker, you can undergo some types of training that will give you licenses or certifications. You can, for example, undergo forklift training, as these machines are some of the most commonly used in warehouses. Forklift training will give you the skills necessary to safely operate various types of forklifts, and you will get a certification that may be required by law in order to operate the machines within warehouses. You may also undergo safety training, or you can get a commercial driver's license to show employers you are prepared to become a warehouse worker.

You will be able to simply fill out a job application in order to become a warehouse worker, but some companies may require you to submit a resumé. This is a document that outlines your education, training, and job experience that will qualify you for a position with the company. It is a good idea to have this document prepared ahead of time; you can either hire a professional to write your resumé for you, or you can write it yourself if you feel confident in your writing abilities. A resumé shows employers that you are organized and ready for the responsibilities of a job within the company.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By Feryll — On Dec 14, 2014

When I was in college, my friends and I would go down to one of the local employment agencies near campus and sign up for temporary jobs in some of the nearby warehouses. The warehouses usually paid the best money out of all of the jobs the agencies offered that we were qualified for.

Since most of us were on sports scholarships, working in these warehouses was the way many of us made enough money to buy our Christmas gifts and also keep a little money in our pockets. We didn't have time to keep a regular job because of all of the time we spent with classes and with our particular sports.

The warehouse work was steady and we moved tons of boxes, but we were all in good shape, and we thought of the work as a good way to exercise our muscles and get paid at the same time. Had we not been in the warehouse we would have been in the weight room anyway.

By Drentel — On Dec 14, 2014

@Laotionne - Some warehouse workers never have to touch the boxes they move because they use forklifts and other equipment to move the boxes. Also, there are some warehouses that have special workers who handle the large packages then divide the contents of the larger boxes and place it all in smaller boxes.

These smaller boxes are then labeled and placed in racks so that the workers (pickers) can retrieve the smaller boxes as they are needed. This way not everyone has to be strong enough to handle the 40 pound to 100 pound packages.

By Laotionne — On Dec 13, 2014

The article mentions that you should be in good condition when you work in a warehouse. Do most warehouse workers have to do heavy lifting?

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.