Are you curious about what it's like to work in a Sysco warehouse and, more importantly, how much you can earn? You've come to the right place! We're going to dive deep into the world of Sysco warehouse compensation, breaking down salary expectations, factors that influence pay, and even how to potentially boost your earnings. Let's get started!
Unpacking Sysco Warehouse Worker Salaries: A Comprehensive Guide
Sysco, a giant in the foodservice distribution industry, relies heavily on its vast network of warehouses and the dedicated workers who keep products moving. These roles are critical to ensuring restaurants, hospitals, and other establishments receive the supplies they need. But what does that mean for the paychecks of those working in these bustling distribution centers?
The salary of a Sysco warehouse worker isn't a single, fixed number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by a variety of factors, from your specific role and experience to your geographic location and even your productivity. Understanding these nuances is key to setting realistic expectations and planning your career path within Sysco.
 |
| How Much Does Sysco Warehouse Workers Make |
Step 1: Understanding the Average Landscape - What's the Baseline?
Let's begin by looking at the general averages for Sysco warehouse workers in the United States. Keep in mind that these are national averages and actual pay can vary significantly.
Sub-heading: Hourly vs. Annual Averages
Average Hourly Pay: As of July 2025, the average hourly pay for a Sysco Warehouse worker in the United States is around $20.65 per hour. This can range from as low as $13.22 to as high as $27.64. The majority of wages typically fall between $17.55 (25th percentile) and $22.36 (75th percentile).
Average Annual Salary: This translates to an average annual salary of approximately $42,951. Monthly pay is roughly $3,579, and weekly pay is around $825.
Sub-heading: Top Earners and Percentiles
The 75th percentile for Sysco warehouse workers can see salaries around $46,500 annually, or about $22 per hour.
The 90th percentile (top earners) can reach $53,000 per year, which translates to approximately $25 per hour.
On the lower end, the 25th percentile earns around $36,500 annually, or about $18 per hour.
It's important to remember that these figures are averages across various roles within the warehouse setting.
Step 2: Deconstructing the Role - Specific Job Titles and Their Pay
Sysco warehouses have various positions, each with its own responsibilities and, consequently, its own pay scale. Let's explore some common roles:
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
Sub-heading: Warehouse Associate/Worker
Average Pay: This is often a general entry-level role. Sysco Warehouse Associates in the United States earn an average of around $36,250 annually, or approximately $17.43 per hour. This is quite comparable to the national average for all warehouse associate jobs.
Sub-heading: Warehouse Order Selector
Significantly Higher Earning Potential! This role is often performance-based, meaning your productivity directly impacts your earnings. The average annual pay for a Sysco Warehouse Order Selector in the United States can be as high as $63,561 per year, or approximately $30.56 per hour. This is notably higher than the national average for Warehouse Order Selectors across all companies, indicating Sysco often offers competitive incentives for this crucial role.
Many order selector positions offer incentives or bonuses based on speed and accuracy, allowing highly efficient workers to significantly boost their income. Some postings even advertise earning potential up to $80,000 per year, including base, overtime, and incentives.
Sub-heading: Forklift Operator
Average Pay: Sysco Forklift Operators in the United States typically earn an average of $44,500 annually, or around $21.39 per hour. This is also generally above the national average for forklift operators in other companies.
Specialized forklift operations or certifications might command slightly higher pay.
Step 3: The Geographic Influence - Where You Work Matters
Just like any job, the cost of living and local market demand significantly impact Sysco warehouse worker salaries. Working in a major metropolitan area with a higher cost of living will generally lead to higher pay compared to a rural location.
Sub-heading: State-by-State Variations
While specific data for every state isn't readily available, we can observe trends. For example:
In Illinois, the average hourly pay for a Sysco Warehouse worker is around $20.01. Cities like Elwood ($21.35/hour) and Chicago ($21.27/hour) tend to be on the higher end within the state.
In Texas, the average hourly pay for a Sysco Warehouse worker is around $19.24. Cities like Odessa ($20.84/hour) and Dallas ($20.42/hour) may offer slightly more.
Some states like Washington (Spokane) and Washington D.C. appear to have higher overall average Sysco salaries across all roles, including warehouse positions, sometimes exceeding $27 per hour for the average Sysco employee.
It's always recommended to check local job postings for the most accurate and up-to-date salary information in your specific area.
Step 4: Beyond the Base Pay - Understanding the Full Compensation Package
A competitive salary is just one piece of the puzzle. Sysco, like many large corporations, offers a benefits package that adds significant value to a warehouse worker's total compensation.
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
Sub-heading: Health and Wellness Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Prescription Plans: Sysco typically offers a range of medical, dental, and prescription drug plans, allowing employees to choose coverage that fits their needs and their family's.
Maternity Benefits: Comprehensive plans often include maternity benefits.
Mental Health Support: Sysco emphasizes well-being by providing access to mental health resources, including virtual and in-person behavioral health services and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Sub-heading: Retirement and Financial Security
401(k) Plans: Sysco often provides robust 401(k) plans, which may include company matching contributions, essentially offering "free money" to help employees save for retirement.
Education Assistance: Some programs might include assistance for further education or professional development.
Life Security Options: These can include various insurance plans (life, disability) to protect employees and their families.
Sub-heading: Additional Perks and Programs
 |
Perks at Work Discount Program: Employees may have access to discounts on travel, entertainment, and other goods and services.
Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs): Sysco fosters a sense of community and belonging through various resource groups.
Overtime Opportunities: Many warehouse roles, especially order selectors, offer opportunities for overtime, which can significantly increase weekly earnings.
Incentives/Bonuses: As mentioned, many roles, particularly order selector positions, offer performance-based incentives and bonuses.
Paid Time Off: This typically includes vacation time, sick leave, and paid holidays.
These benefits contribute to the overall value of working at Sysco and should be factored in when evaluating compensation.
Step 5: Advancing Your Career - Growth Potential within Sysco Warehouses
Sysco is a large company, and this often means there are opportunities for career progression within their warehouse operations.
Sub-heading: Common Career Paths
Order Selector to Lead/Supervisor: Experienced and high-performing order selectors might be promoted to lead positions, overseeing smaller teams, or even to Warehouse Supervisor roles.
Forklift Operator to Trainer/Lead: Skilled forklift operators could move into training roles or become leads for the material handling team.
Specialized Roles: Over time, with experience and further training, warehouse workers might transition into more specialized roles like Inventory Control Specialist, Sanitation Technician, or even into administrative or logistical roles within the distribution center.
Sub-heading: Requirements for Advancement
Performance and Productivity: Consistently meeting or exceeding productivity targets is crucial.
Safety Record: A strong commitment to safety is paramount in a warehouse environment.
Leadership Skills: For supervisory roles, demonstrating leadership potential, communication skills, and the ability to train and motivate others is essential.
Additional Certifications: Obtaining certifications for various material handling equipment or specialized warehouse software can be beneficial.
Consistent Work History: A stable and reliable work history is often a prerequisite for internal promotions.
Sysco often prioritizes internal hiring and development, so demonstrating dedication and a willingness to learn can open doors to new opportunities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Sysco warehouse worker compensation, with quick answers:
How to calculate a Sysco warehouse worker's hourly pay from their annual salary?
To get an approximate hourly pay from an annual salary, divide the annual salary by 2080 (assuming 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). For example, $42,951 / 2080 = ~$20.65 per hour.
How to increase my earnings as a Sysco warehouse order selector?
Focus on your productivity and accuracy. Many order selector roles offer performance-based incentives and bonuses, so being efficient directly translates to higher pay. Overtime opportunities can also significantly boost earnings.
How to find Sysco warehouse job openings in my area?
Visit the official Sysco careers website (careers.sysco.com) and use their job search portal. You can filter by location and job title to find relevant openings.
How to qualify for a Sysco warehouse forklift operator position?
You typically need to be at least 18 years old and possess (or be able to obtain) certification on material handling equipment, often including electric pallet jacks and forklifts. Prior experience is often preferred but sometimes not strictly required, with on-the-job training provided.
How to learn about the benefits package for Sysco warehouse workers?
Sysco's careers website has a dedicated benefits section (
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
How to advance from a general warehouse worker to a supervisor at Sysco?
Demonstrate strong performance, a commitment to safety, and leadership potential. Gaining experience with various warehouse functions, strong communication skills, and potentially completing a supervisory training program will be beneficial.
How to know if Sysco warehouse jobs offer sign-on bonuses?
Check specific job postings for "Warehouse Order Selector" or other warehouse roles on Sysco's careers website or job boards like ZipRecruiter. Sign-on bonuses, if offered, will typically be highlighted in the job description.
How to determine if Sysco warehouse pay is competitive in my city?
Compare the listed average salaries for Sysco warehouse roles in your city (often found on sites like ZipRecruiter or Glassdoor) with similar positions at other distribution companies in your local area.
How to prepare for a Sysco warehouse job interview?
Be ready to discuss your experience with physical labor, your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, your commitment to safety, and your understanding of teamwork. Highlighting your reliability and work ethic is crucial.
How to understand the typical work hours for a Sysco warehouse worker?
Sysco warehouses often operate 24/7. This means shifts can vary, including day, night, weekday, and weekend shifts. The specific job posting will outline the expected work hours for that particular role.
 |
