How To Become A Dock Worker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a dock worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Dockworkers are skilled employees who work in various facilities that demand freight services, such as meat and poultry processing facilities, retailers, companies in the industrial and construction fields, and other fast-paced, physically strenuous work environments. Their primary duties include comparing invoices for shipments to the actual products received, testing the contents of freight shipments, and weighing outgoing shipments.

They are also in charge of performing recordkeeping for damages or other inventory discrepancies, contacting other parties, such as freight companies or wholesalers to dictate instructions for outgoing and incoming parcels, and using a sorting, organization, or inventory system to process goods.

Dockworkers work a variety of shifts and schedules. Some facilities may require work during regular business hours, but other places may have evening, overnight, and weekend requirements for their workers. Skills necessary to excel in dock worker positions include using the appropriate in-house inventory program, if applicable. One must also have the physical strength and endurance to lift, move, and sort shipments. Applicants may also need forklift certification and experience with freight trailers and pallets. Previous related experience may be required or preferred, with which you can earn up to $15 per hour initially.

ScoreDock WorkerUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $36,027

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.4

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.06%

Asian 5.13%

Black or African American 13.17%

Hispanic or Latino 18.22%

Unknown 5.13%

White 57.29%

Gender

female 7.07%

male 92.93%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress Level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

4.7

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.4

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a dock worker

Explore dock worker education requirements

Most common dock worker degrees

High School Diploma

54.3 %

Associate

14.6 %

Bachelor's

13.8 %

Start to develop specific dock worker skills

Skills	Percentages
Safety Rules	12.28%
Tractor Trailer	8.04%
LTL	7.54%
Unload Trailers	6.15%
Basic Math	5.48%

Complete relevant dock worker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dock workers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dock worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dock worker resumes.

Research dock worker duties and responsibilities

Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
Print BOL for daily deliveries.

Prepare your dock worker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dock worker resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dock worker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Dock Worker Resume templates

Build a professional Dock Worker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Dock Worker resume.

Apply for dock worker jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a dock worker job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do dock workers rate their job?