The warehouse industry continues to expand and is a rich source of employment opportunities for anyone who is fit, reliable, and has basic computer skills. Most warehouse jobs do not require high levels of education or training, so they could be a great fit for young people with a high school degree.
Warehouse jobs pay well, too. In most US warehouses, the hourly wage considerably exceeds the minimum wage. The pay goes up if workers work overnights or split shifts, and overtime is almost always available. Due to the difficulty in finding staff, some warehouses offer signing bonuses and referral bonuses for employees who bring in other workers.
Many warehouses are meeting their staffing needs with gig workers. A gig worker or flex worker agrees to take a shift or a temporary assignment at a particular warehouse that needs people. Gig work offers experienced warehouse workers an opportunity to get to know other operations, hone their skills and learn new ones, and expand their network. It provides flexibility, allowing workers to take on extra work only when they want it. Some warehouse workers find the lifestyle so appealing that they make their living exclusively on gig assignments.
Gig Workers Make Good Pay
Reliable flex workers can make a decent living performing gig work in warehouses. It is not unusual for entry-level wages to start at about $18.00 an hour, and experienced workers with specific skills could get up to $30.00 an hour.
Gig workers usually get a higher hourly wage than regular full-time workers because they do not get benefits. The gig work platform HapiGig, which hires gig workers as W2 employees, offers warehouse workers above-average hourly wages.
How Much You Work Determines How Much You Earn
Making a living on warehouse gig labor will probably require you to work regularly. A few shifts a month will not provide enough money to meet most people’s needs. However, a worker who signs up for several shifts every week could potentially support themselves exclusively through gig work.
The demand for warehouse workers is steady and not likely to decline anytime soon. Sometimes during peak seasons, warehouses will offer gig workers temporary positions lasting several weeks or months. These positions often pay quite well, and our platform can help you connect with them.
Be Realistic about Your Requirements
The worker’s specific circumstances make a difference in determining whether gig work will provide enough income. For example, a worker who lives with their relatives or has several roommates needs less income to support themselves than a single parent with a mortgage. In areas where housing costs are high, a gig worker might have a hard time making ends meet.
Similarly, if the worker must drive a long way to get to their gigs, the cost of gas might eat up a decent portion of their earnings. Distance is a factor workers should consider when deciding whether a specific gig is worth it for them.
If a worker must pay their health insurance out of their earnings, it could be harder to make a living on gig work alone. On the other hand, if a worker is still on their parents’ health insurance, has a spouse who can cover them through their insurance, or qualifies for Georgia Families or another state-supported health insurance program, they might be able to make flex labor work for them.
HapiGig Can Provide All the Work You Need
A web-based platform like HapiGig provides a constant flow of opportunities for experienced and vetted warehouse workers, called HapiWorkers. Once a HapiWorker has posted a profile on our platform, warehouse employers can find them to offer gigs, and the workers can search employers for opportunities.
A motivated worker might be able to find enough work on HapiGig to provide for all their needs. If you are seeking more independence and flexibility in your work life, give HapiGig a try.