Warehouse Associate
Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service
At-a-glance
Preferred Education and Credentials
- High school diploma or GED
- Knowledge of HVAC/R products
- Driver’s license
- Forklift operator certification
Skills
- Organization
- Detail-oriented
- Inventory control
- Inspection
- Physical abilities (lift at least 50 pounds, extended standing)
- Documentation
- Communication
- Multi-tasking
Description
Warehouse associates ensure smooth warehouse operations by keeping relevant records and receiving, inspecting, maintaining, and distributing stock.
Warehouse associates need strong organizational skills and attention to detail to accurately ensure inventory control. They receive, unload, and label incoming shipments, safely storing products in the appropriate location. Warehouse associates process orders for shipment to customers by retrieving products from storage and putting them in the loading area; they may also pack the outgoing stock. Job duties include routine inspection of incoming and outgoing shipments for damage and to ensure the quantity of product is accurate, and they follow up as needed to resolve any problems or errors.
Warehouse work is physical, requiring the ability to stand and walk for extended periods and having the physical strength to lift or move heavy objects (sometimes weighing more than 50 pounds). Some positions may require operating a forklift. Warehouse associates are responsible for cleaning loading and unloading areas, storage locations, and other work areas to maintain a neat and safe environment. The work must comply with applicable U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (i.e., OSHA) regulations and safety protocols.
Warehouse associates need documentation skills to accurately keep inventory records, and some employers may require computer skills for related tasks such as data-entry and reporting. Strong communication skills are necessary for workers to effectively collaborate with other team members, vendors, and customers. Work may need to be completed with time constraints, so multi-tasking is a valuable skill.
Warehouse associates are typically employed on a full-time basis in a warehouse, but some do work part-time.
Job Outlook
According to the New York State Department of Labor, there are approximately 126,500 warehouse associates and other laborers in New York State that move materials and freight by hand. Opportunities for employment are expected to be favorable through 2028 – the Department projects this occupation to grow by 12,830 jobs between 2018 and 2028 (across all industries).
Entering the Field
A formal education and prior experience are not typically required to obtain entry-level work as a warehouse associate, but some employers prefer to hire workers with a high school diploma or GED. Job duties are usually learned on-the-job within one month and include warehouse operations, policies, and regulations.
Employers hiring warehouse associates in the HVAC/R field may give preference to applicants with existing knowledge of related products. A driver’s license and certification to operate a forklift may be required or preferred for some jobs.
Wages
In New York State, the median wage for warehouse associates is approximately $34,400. Entry-level workers earn about $28,100 and experienced workers earn about $43,100.
Annual Wage (Q1 2021 dollars, rounded to 100s) – Statewide and by Labor Market Region
| Region | Entry | Median | Experienced | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York State | $28,100 | $34,400 | $43,100 | |||
| Capital Region | $28,300 | $35,600 | $42,800 | |||
| Central New York | $28,200 | $33,400 | $38,700 | |||
| Finger Lakes | $27,000 | $30,800 | $36,000 | |||
| Hudson Valley | $28,400 | $34,200 | $42,200 | |||
| Long Island | $29,100 | $34,600 | $41,800 | |||
| Mohawk Valley | $27,600 | $34,000 | $42,900 | |||
| New York City | $31,200 | $35,800 | $46,900 | |||
| North Country | $26,300 | $30,300 | $35,900 | |||
| Southern Tier | $26,800 | $31,200 | $37,300 | |||
| Western New York | $27,600 | $31,900 | $38,000 |
Source: New York State Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, SOC Code 53-7062 (Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand)
Employers
Wholesale distributors of heating, refrigeration, and plumbing materials employ warehouse associates working in the HVAC/R field.
The top three employers with the most online job advertisements in each region in 2020 are listed below. Some regions did not have ads posted by more than one or two employers. Note that jobs for warehouse and wholesale trade workers are often underrepresented in online job ads. Check local union websites or contact HVAC/R equipment suppliers and distributors for additional opportunities to gain employment as a warehouse associate.
Capital Region
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
- Ferguson
Central New York
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
- VP Supply Corporation
- Syracuse Winsupply
Finger Lakes
- VP Supply Corporation
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
- Ferguson
Hudson Valley
- Aqueduct Services Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
- Crestron Electronics
- T. Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric
Long Island
- Ferguson
- ABCO HVACR Supply + Solutions
- Sid Harvey Industries
Mohawk Valley
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
New York City
- Ferguson
- Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
- B&F Johnstone Incorporated
North Country
- Apidel Technologies
Southern Tier
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
Western New York
- Meier Supply Company Incorporated
- R.E. Michel Company, Inc.
- Xylem
Source: Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. 2021.
Labor Unions
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is affiliated with 18 local chapters that have members in the union’s Warehouse Division. Each local is listed below in one of New York State’s labor market regions based on the location of the chapter’s main office, but the local’s jurisdiction may extend into other regions. Visit the union websites to learn more about what their members do and where they work. Also check with local communities to see if there are other active unions for warehouse workers.
Capital Region
Central New York
Finger Lakes
Hudson Valley
Long Island
- Teamsters Local 282
- Teamsters Local 295
- Teamsters Local 707
- Teamsters Local 802
- Teamsters Local 917
- Teamsters Local 1205
New York City
- Teamsters Local 202
- Teamsters Local 210
- Teamsters Local 553
- Teamsters Local 807
- Teamsters Local 810
- Teamsters Local 813
Western New York
Education and Training Programs
Educational attainment beyond high school is typically not required to work as a warehouse associate, and training is usually provided on the job.
