Warehouse Jobs Near Me: Roles, Requirements and How to Apply

Searching for warehouse jobs near you? Warehouse work is one of the most common ways to start earning without a degree or prior experience. This guide covers the main types of warehouse roles, what the work is really like, what employers usually require, and how to apply for Amazon and Costco warehouse and logistics jobs.

Types of warehouse jobs

"Warehouse job" covers a range of entry-level roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups many of them as hand laborers and material movers, including^[1]:

Stockers and order fillers: receive, unpack and track merchandise, and retrieve customer orders to prepare them for shipping.
Freight, stock and material movers: move materials to and from storage areas, loading docks and trucks, often scanning packages as they go.
Hand packers and packagers: pack and label products and prepare items for shipment.

Large employers use their own titles. Amazon, for example, lists fulfillment center, sortation center, delivery station, grocery warehouse, XL warehouse, quick ship and Amazon Air associate roles^[2].

Pay: pay varies by employer, role, shift and location. Check the individual listing for current details.

What warehouse work is really like

Warehouse jobs are accessible, but they are physical. BLS describes the work as usually repetitive and physically demanding: lifting and carrying, bending, kneeling and crouching, and long periods on your feet. It also notes that hand laborers and freight movers have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations, which is why safety training is a core part of onboarding^[1].

On the plus side, BLS says these roles typically need no formal education or related experience, and training on the job usually lasts a month or less. BLS also projects about 904,200 openings each year for hand laborers and material movers over the 2025–35 decade, on average^[1], so employers regularly need new workers. Whether a specific facility near you is hiring depends on the location and season.

Schedules vary. Most material movers work full time, part-time work is common, and shifts may include nights and weekends^[1]. For Amazon's published shift times, see our Amazon warehouse shifts guide.

Common requirements

Minimum age: Amazon warehouse postings we reviewed require candidates to be 18 or older^[3]. Other employers set their own minimums; check the posting.
Physical ability: postings usually describe lifting, standing and walking requirements. Read them carefully.
Identification: you'll need documents proving your identity and employment eligibility for Form I-9. Amazon tells applicants to bring proper I-9 identification to its pre-hire appointment^[4].
Checks: some offers are contingent on a background check and drug test. Amazon's hiring process includes checking these results before you accept a formal offer^[4].
Safety footwear and dress code: many warehouses require closed-toe or safety shoes and ban loose clothing and jewelry.

Amazon warehouse jobs

Amazon's hourly hiring site, hiring.amazon.com, lets you search warehouse roles by location and shift. Amazon says applying is easy with no resume or interview required, and that the process can vary slightly by role and location but generally follows these steps^[2]:

Job application: Amazon says the online application usually takes about twenty minutes, including choosing your preferred shift^[4].
Work assessment.
Pre-hire appointment or orientation: held in person; bring your I-9 identification. Amazon notes you aren't paid for this appointment because it is part of the application process^[4].
Your first day: Amazon says you'll get schedule details by email, check your contingent offer status in your account, order safety shoes and set up the Amazon A to Z app before you start^[4].

For benefits and hiring age details, see our Amazon jobs guide.

Costco depots and logistics

Costco's careers site lists distribution roles at its depots and logistics operations, which support how merchandise moves to its warehouses, alongside warehouse positions that prepare and display merchandise^[5]. Costco also says the majority of its Home and Regional Office employees started in its warehouses, depots and Business Centers^[6], so an entry-level logistics job can be a starting point for longer-term growth.

Costco says it offers benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees and posts weekly schedules at least three weeks in advance^[6]. Eligibility rules apply. See our Costco jobs guide for how to apply.

How to apply for warehouse jobs

Search by location and shift. Use the employer's official careers site or a job search site that filters by ZIP code. Note the facility address, because large sites can be outside town centers.
Check the requirements: age, lifting, schedule, and any background or drug screening.
Plan your commute. Early-morning and overnight shifts can be hard to reach without a car, so confirm transit options before you accept.
Apply online and watch your email and texts for assessment or appointment invitations.
Gather your documents for the pre-hire step so nothing delays your start.

Tips for getting started

Be honest about the shifts you can work. A shift you can reliably make is better than one you'll struggle to keep.
Ask about training and safety. Good employers explain safe lifting, equipment rules and how to report hazards.
Wear the right gear on day one. Amazon, for example, asks new hires to wear close-toed shoes and avoid drawstring hoodies, long necklaces and hoop earrings^[4].
Never pay to apply. The FTC says honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job^[7].

Warehouse jobs FAQ

How do I find warehouse jobs near me?

Search by city or ZIP code on employer careers sites, such as hiring.amazon.com for Amazon warehouse roles or careers.costco.com for Costco depot and logistics roles, or use a job search site that filters listings by location. Openings vary by area and season.

Do you need experience to work in a warehouse?

Usually not for entry-level roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says hand laborers and material movers typically need no formal education or related work experience and learn through on-the-job training lasting a month or less.

Do Amazon warehouse jobs require a resume or interview?

Amazon says it's easy to apply for its warehouse jobs, with no resume or interview required. The process generally includes an application, a work assessment, a pre-hire orientation and your first day, and can vary by role and location.

How old do you have to be to work in a warehouse?

It depends on the employer and the role. Amazon warehouse postings require candidates to be 18 or older. Check the requirements in each posting.

What shifts do warehouse jobs have?

Schedules vary by employer and facility. BLS notes that most material movers work full time, part-time work is common, and schedules may include nights and weekends.

How much do warehouse jobs pay?

Pay varies by employer, role, shift and location. Check the individual listing for current pay details.

Sources

Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Amazon and Costco are trademarks of their respective owners, used here only to identify the companies.