How much does a Dock Worker make?

The average salary for a Dock Worker is $42,795 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 3231 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Dock Worker employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Dock Worker in United States is $50,290 per year.

The lowest salary for a Dock Worker in United States is $36,561 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Dock Worker or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Dock Worker.

Dock worker jobs provide accessible work to candidates without training, education, language, or interpersonal requirements. Pay for dock worker roles is relatively low, comparable to that of dishwashers, laborers or barbacks, but ample overtime opportunities usually exist. Dock workers can increase their salaries by moving into lead dock worker or dock manager positions.

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Feedback from anonymous Glassdoor workers shows that 70% of dock workers are satisfied with their income. A dock worker salary is more likely to be satisfactory if it includes profit sharing and bonuses totaling around $2,268.28, and employees with forklift qualifications and in-demand skills tend to earn more.

Your employment history and skill set can significantly impact your salary as a dock worker, and understanding dock worker career paths can help you determine a fair compensation package. While a typical dock worker salary is around $40,526.26, bonuses and tips can increase this figure to around $42,794.54. You can expect to earn somewhere between $31,759.00 and $58,099.52 in total.

Most companies hiring dock workers require a high school diploma or GED. However, obtaining desirable certifications can help you progress to senior positions more quickly and achieve a higher dock worker salary. Requirements and in-demand skills vary by industry, so it's worth checking out job adverts in your sector to determine what employers look for.

However, there are certain qualifications that will likely help your career progression in any role. Obtaining a Commercial Driver License (CDL), forklift certification, and OSHA safety certification can all make you more appealing to employers. It's also worth considering gaining Hazmat endorsement and a Class 3 driver's license.

Whether you're starting a new dock worker job or are unhappy with your current income, there are some effective ways to negotiate a higher salary. Before meeting a new employer, learn what questions you may face in a dock worker interview to help you make a great first impression.

When negotiating a better salary, provide concrete examples to illustrate your value to the company. For instance, you could describe how your skills helped you reduce errors, improve safety, or meet demanding timeframes — ideally with statistics to prove your points. If your employer can't accommodate your request, consider asking for higher attendance and performance bonuses or an improved benefits package.