6 Important Facts You Should Know About Overnight Warehouse Jobs

Overnight warehouse jobs offer an exciting field for many professionals looking for a new type of career. These workers handle a variety of tasks within the industry. You might see listings for warehouse associate job types like:

• Machine or forklift operators
• Packers
• Warehouse transportation
• Product handlers

Each of these positions plays a vital role in ensuring that customers and businesses across the country have access to the goods that they have purchased.

Those reading these job descriptions, however, may find themselves with questions about the industry, including the jobs available as well as promotional opportunities. We have compiled a list of six key facts for those interested in becoming overnight warehouse associates, including what they should know as they prepare for one of these intriguing job opportunities.

Fact #1: Over 100,000 warehouse-related jobs are expected to be added to the economy between 2019 and 2029, with over 4 million currently being held.

Warehouse jobs continue to play an essential role in the economy, even with the financial impact of COVID. These professionals work in a variety of positions that keep the warehouse running effectively, including moving freight and stock, wrapping and packing products, keeping track of records of the materials moved, keeping the warehouse clean, and coordinating with those who operate machines and transport goods to and from the facility. Warehouse associates are needed in several types of warehousing environments, such as distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 100,000 jobs will be added to the economy in the hand laborer and material mover sector between 2019 and 2029, thanks to growing companies like Walmart or Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers.There are also over 4 million people who currently work in the field.

With this growth potential, those who want to work in overnight warehouse jobs should recognize that job openings are available to those with a high school diploma or GED and who want to excel in their hand-eye coordination, physical strength, and stamina to help them complete each job effectively. Warehouse workers are welcome to apply even if they do not have previous warehouse experience and should not be discriminated against based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. They also need to focus on building their listening and communication skills to enhance their ability to work on a team and ensure that the warehouse runs smoothly.

Fact #2: Those who work overnight can sometimes earn more than the daytime workers, with overtime often available.

Many warehouse associates appreciate the ability to earn a little bit extra by working the nightshift, also known as 3rd shift, instead of the dayshift. Depending on the exact business and warehouse, many overnight warehouse jobs offer a slightly higher starting pay rate for those who take the overnight shifts versus the 1st or 2nd shifts during more normal working hours. For those who have no problem working from late at night to the early morning, this can provide an excellent opportunity.

Certain warehouse associate jobs might also offer opportunities for overtime. Particular times of the year might require extra hours to get through extra tasks, which means warehouse team members will have to put in a few extra hours after their full-time or part-time shift ends to reach the company’s business benchmarks. Overtime hours generally also include a higher hourly rate than typical shifts, which also present additional money-making opportunities.

Fact #3: Those who reach management positions can make over $90,000 per year.

Employees who excel in their overnight general warehouse jobs can also set themselves up for promotions and advancement opportunities. Each business wants to find workers who stand out as excellent employees and perform exceptionally well at their tasks. These workers often get picked first when new leadership and management opportunities arise.

Finding a management opportunity also comes with pay raises. According to the BLS, warehouse associates who reach full-time management-level positions in the warehousing and storage sector have a mean hourly wage exceeding $45 and a mean annual wage exceeding $96,000 per year.

Fact #4: Technology has begun to play an increasingly visible role throughout warehousing and logistics.

Technology has become an increasingly critical component of jobs across all sectors, including in warehouse operations These advancements can help across a variety of segments within the management and storage industry, including managing supply chains and business intelligence.

Two common ways that technology has begun to be incorporated into warehouse jobs include:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning, which allow business managers to interpret the logistics of warehousing and storage to make projections for tasks, such as product forecasting
• Robotic process automation, which uses robotics to complete some repetitive tasks

Despite these changes, overnight warehouse jobs continue to be in demand. Understanding how this technology works and how warehouses can use it to build a stronger business will comprise an essential part of the industry moving forward.

Fact #5: California, Texas, and Illinois have the highest rate of employment per thousand in the industry.

Overnight warehouse jobs are across the country, as different states are home to various businesses and storage facilities. However, when tracking job opportunities across the United States, the East Coast and West Coast have more jobs available than the states toward the middle of the country. The states with the highest levels of warehouse employment are California, Texas, and Illinois.

• California currently boasts 393,460 positions, with 22.64 openings per 1,000 jobs. It also has 19,430 jobs for managers in the field.
• Texas has 204,030 positions, which is equivalent to 16.41 positions per 1,000 jobs. This state also has 13,030 positions available to managers.
• Illinois has 181,540 positions, which converts to 30.13 positions per 1,000 jobs. There are 9,310 jobs for managers there, as well.

Other states with high rates of warehouse workers include Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

While those looking for overnight warehouse jobs might be able to find excellent employment in nearly any state, these particular examples have some of the highest rates of staffing and can offer a great place to get started looking for a new position in the field.

Fact #6: Many skills gained through working in overnight warehouse jobs can be transferred to other careers.

Those working in full-time or part-time overnight warehouse jobs will find plenty of opportunities to cultivate highly desirable skills and traits. These attributes can be transferred to other jobs or used to help you find promotions within the warehousing and storage field. Here are just a few traits you can develop in these positions:

• Hard work. Working overnight in a warehouse often involves putting in considerable time and energy to ensure that you do the job set by the supervisors and meet the facility’s benchmarks. Warehouse associates who excel in these positions understand this important job quality.
• Communication skills. Warehouse jobs often involve working in teams and coordinating with people on other hour shifts. You will have ample time to practice your ability to communicate clearly and process what others tell you, to ensure that the facility runs smoothly.
• Experience with emerging technology. With the quick adoption of technology in the warehouse, storage, and logistics industry, this presents an excellent opportunity for those with overnight warehouse jobs to build their familiarity with these capabilities. Technology continues to spread across all industries. Feeling comfortable working with technology, as well as some fundamental computer analysis skills, can be a tremendous asset for building a long-term career.
• Organizational skills. Warehouses have to be well-organized places to ensure that operators know where different products and pallets are, what has arrived, what was shipped, and what needs to be packaged. Working at one of these jobs can help warehouse workers build their skills and expertise in this area.
• Leadership skills. As in any field, those who rise to the top within the warehouse environment will understand how to motivate their co-workers and help their team consistently meet or exceed expectations. Working on an overnight warehouse shift can present opportunities to build these types of leadership skills, which can then translate to other positions.

For those who enjoy working with their hands and being part of a team, overnight warehouse jobs can be an excellent fit. The field is an exciting one, continuing to change and evolve with new technology, but also offering plenty of full-time or part-time opportunities for those who think this work environment would be a good fit.

Those interested in finding a warehouse associate job can use Joblist, where you can easily browse hundreds of equal opportunity employers within your desired field, set up job alerts, and find immediate openings that fit your skill set best. All you have to do is answer a few short questions and we’ll create a personalized set of job matches. You’ll find your next overnight warehouse job in no time!