Thinking about a career with Sysco as an Order Selector? You're probably wondering, "How much can I actually make per hour?" That's a fantastic question, and it's essential to understand the earning potential for such a vital role in the foodservice supply chain. Let's break it down in detail!
Sysco, as a global leader in foodservice distribution, relies heavily on its order selectors to ensure that countless restaurants, hospitals, schools, and other establishments receive their food and non-food products accurately and on time. This isn't just a job; it's a critical part of keeping communities fed.
Step 1: Understanding the Average Hourly Wage
First off, let's get straight to the numbers. As of July 2025, the average hourly pay for a Sysco Order Selector in the United States is around $17.88 per hour. However, this is just an average. The actual pay can vary significantly based on several factors.
Range of Pay: While the average is $17.88, hourly wages can go as high as $21.88 and as low as $12.26.
Most Common Range: The majority of Sysco Order Selector wages typically fall between $16.35 (25th percentile) and $18.75 (75th percentile). This means that 75% of order selectors earn within this range.
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| How Much Do Sysco Order Selectors Make Per Hour |
Step 2: Factors Influencing Your Paycheck
The hourly wage for a Sysco Order Selector isn't a fixed number. Several key factors play a crucial role in determining how much you'll actually bring home. Understanding these can help you maximize your earning potential.
Sub-heading: Location, Location, Location! ️
Geographic Differences: Like many jobs, the cost of living and local labor markets heavily influence wages. Cities and states with a higher cost of living or a strong demand for warehouse workers often offer higher hourly rates. For example, some cities in Alaska and California show significantly higher average hourly wages for Sysco Order Selectors, even reaching $21-$22 per hour.
Example Cities with Higher Pay: Nome, AK ($22.18/hour); Berkeley, CA ($21.89/hour); Sitka, AK ($21.54/hour).
Sub-heading: Experience and Skills ️
Entry-Level vs. Experienced: While Sysco often offers on-the-job training and sometimes doesn't require prior warehouse experience, having relevant experience can start you at a higher rate or lead to faster pay increases.
Preferred qualifications often include 1 year of experience operating an electric pallet jack or forklift, and 1 year of general warehouse or physically active job experience.
Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating equipment like electric pallet jacks and forklifts is a core part of the job and can be a valuable asset.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
Sub-heading: Performance and Incentives
Productivity Bonuses: This is a major factor for Sysco Order Selectors. Many Sysco locations offer performance-based incentives in addition to a base hourly rate.
How it Works: You might have a "rate" or "efficiency" target. If you exceed this target (e.g., pulling more cases per hour than the standard), you can earn a higher hourly rate or bonuses. Some reports indicate that reaching 103% efficiency can lead to a significant hourly pay raise, potentially taking your earnings from a base rate of around $23 to over $28 per hour, with the potential to reach as high as $40 per hour with strong production incentives.
This means your work ethic and efficiency directly impact your earning potential.
Sub-heading: Overtime Opportunities ⏰
Beyond 40 Hours: Warehouse work, especially in distribution centers, often involves opportunities for overtime. Sysco specifically mentions overtime opportunities as a benefit for order selectors. Overtime hours are typically paid at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate, which can significantly boost your weekly paycheck.
Shift Length: Sysco Order Selector shifts can be long, often extending beyond 8 hours, and sometimes are "work until it's done" shifts, particularly night shifts. This inherently leads to more opportunities for overtime.
Step 3: Understanding the Job Role and Its Impact on Pay
Being a Sysco Order Selector is a physically demanding yet crucial role. The nature of the job itself influences compensation.
Sub-heading: What Does an Order Selector Do? ?
Core Responsibilities:
Picking Orders: Accurately selecting food and non-food products from warehouse shelves based on customer orders.
Palletizing: Organizing and stacking selected products onto pallets, ensuring they are stable and secure for transport.
Equipment Operation: Operating electric pallet jacks, and sometimes forklifts, to move products around the warehouse.
Quality Control: Ensuring products are of the correct quality and quantity.
Safety: Adhering to safety protocols, especially when operating machinery and working in a fast-paced environment with varying temperatures (dry, cooler, freezer).
Physical Demands:
Frequent Lifting: Regularly lifting products ranging from 10 lbs to 75 lbs, and occasionally up to 100 lbs.
Constant Movement: Bending, twisting, reaching, stooping, and walking for 10-12 hours daily.
Temperature Variations: Working in different temperature zones within the warehouse, including non-refrigerated, refrigerated, and freezer sections. This demanding nature often contributes to a more competitive hourly wage compared to less physically intensive roles.
Step 4: Benefits and Career Growth
While hourly pay is a primary concern, it's also important to consider the broader compensation package. Sysco offers benefits and career development opportunities that add to the overall value of the position.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
Sub-heading: Comprehensive Benefits Package
Sysco offers an industry-leading total rewards package for its employees. While specific benefits can vary by location and employment status, they typically include:
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Paid Time Off: Vacation and holiday pay.
Retirement Plans: Such as 401(k) with company match.
Other Perks: Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and potentially discounts on Sysco products.
Benefits often become available after a certain period, for example, after 60 days of employment.
Sub-heading: On-the-Job Training and Advancement
Sysco emphasizes on-the-job training and career growth opportunities. This means that even if you start with no prior experience, you can learn valuable skills and potentially move into other roles within the company.
Potential Career Paths: With experience and additional training, an order selector might advance to roles like:
Warehouse Lead/Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist
Logistics Coordinator
CDL Truck Driver (if interested in obtaining a commercial driver's license)
Step 5: What to Expect When Applying
If you're considering becoming a Sysco Order Selector, here's a general idea of what the application process might entail:
Application: Typically done online through Sysco's careers website.
Interview: Could involve an in-person interview.
Background Check/Drug Test: Standard for most warehouse positions.
Training Period: If hired, expect a period of on-the-job training, which can last a week or two, covering safety protocols, equipment operation, and specific picking procedures.
Sysco is often immediately hiring for Order Selector positions due to the high demand for their services. They value individuals who are hard-working and committed to safety and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ?
How to Calculate Sysco Order Selector Hourly Pay with Incentives?
To calculate your pay with incentives, you'd take your base hourly rate and then add the incentive pay earned by exceeding your efficiency target. For example, if your base is $23/hour and you hit 103% efficiency, which adds $5/hour, your effective hourly rate would be $28/hour.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
How to Improve My Efficiency as a Sysco Order Selector?
Improving efficiency often involves learning the warehouse layout, optimizing your picking route, mastering electric pallet jack operation, and developing a systematic approach to stacking and palletizing products to minimize wasted time and movements.
How to Find Sysco Order Selector Job Openings?
You can find Sysco Order Selector job openings on the official Sysco Careers website, as well as on popular job boards like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
How to Prepare for a Sysco Order Selector Interview?
Prepare by researching the company, understanding the job description's physical demands and responsibilities, and being ready to discuss any relevant experience (even if it's not direct warehouse experience, highlight your physical stamina, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment).
How to Get Hired as a Sysco Order Selector Without Experience?
Many Sysco locations offer on-the-job training, so no prior experience is required. Focus on highlighting your willingness to learn, strong work ethic, physical fitness, and commitment to safety in your application and interview.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
How to Advance My Career from a Sysco Order Selector?
Advancement typically involves consistently high performance, showing leadership qualities, cross-training on different tasks or equipment, and potentially pursuing further education or certifications relevant to logistics, inventory management, or supervisory roles.
How to Handle the Physical Demands of a Sysco Order Selector Job?
To manage the physical demands, focus on proper lifting techniques, stay hydrated, wear appropriate supportive footwear, and ensure you get adequate rest. Regular exercise outside of work can also help build stamina and strength.
How to Understand the Different Shifts for Sysco Order Selectors?
Sysco Order Selector shifts are primarily night shifts, typically starting in the late afternoon/early evening (e.g., 5 PM or 6 PM) and continuing until all orders for the next day's deliveries are picked, which can be into the early morning (1 AM - 4 AM). Day shifts are rare and highly sought after by those with high seniority.
How to Learn About Sysco's Company Culture?
Sysco emphasizes a culture rooted in integrity, inclusion, and a commitment to excellence. They pride themselves on connecting the world to share food and providing a supportive environment. You can explore their careers website for more details on their values and initiatives.
How to Maximize Earnings as a Sysco Order Selector?
To maximize your earnings, focus on consistently exceeding production targets to earn performance incentives, volunteer for overtime shifts when available, and strive for efficiency and accuracy in your work. Building experience and considering opportunities for advancement can also lead to higher pay over time.
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