Warehouse Jobs in Canada: Roles, Pay, Requirements and How to Apply

Warehouses and distribution centres keep online orders, grocery stores and retail chains supplied, and they hire throughout the year for many different roles. Most warehouse jobs do not require a degree, and employers usually provide on-the-job training. This guide explains the most common roles, what large employers say about pay and schedules, the physical and safety requirements, and how to apply.

Common Warehouse Roles

• Warehouse associate – the general entry-level role: receiving goods, storing them, and picking, packing and shipping orders.
• Order picker – collects the products for each order, usually with a handheld scanner.
• Sorter – sorts packages by destination or delivery route.
• Shipping and receiving clerk – checks incoming and outgoing shipments against paperwork and records.
• Stock unloader – unloads trucks and moves merchandise to the right area.
• Forklift or power equipment operator – moves heavy loads with lift equipment. This role requires specific training before you can operate the equipment.
• Inventory clerk – counts stock and helps keep inventory records accurate.

Where Warehouse Jobs Are Posted

• Amazon – fulfilment centres, sortation centres and delivery stations, posted on hiring.amazon.ca.
• Costco – besides its warehouse stores, Costco Canada posts roles such as order picker, sorter, forklift/power equipment operator and shipping/receiving assistant on its careers site.
• Walmart Canada – stores hire stock unloaders and overnight associates, posted on careers.walmart.ca.
• Dollarama – runs a distribution centre and warehouses in the Montreal area and has announced a new distribution centre in the Calgary area, expected to open by the end of 2027. These jobs are posted on jobs.dollarama.com.
• Logistics companies and staffing agencies – many warehouses also hire through agencies. Legitimate agencies do not charge job seekers to find them work.

Pay

Pay depends on the employer, the province, the shift and the role, and operating equipment such as forklifts usually pays more than general roles. Some examples from official sources:

• Amazon announced in September 2026 that the average hourly base wage for its Canadian operations employees would be $26.27, with planned increases for eligible hourly employees every six months until their two-year anniversary. This is an average, not a starting rate.
• Walmart Canada listed a minimum rate of $15.85 per hour for a Stock Unloader Associate in Estevan, Saskatchewan, in October 2026. Rates vary by province.

Always check the rate in the posting you are applying for.

Schedules

Warehouses often run long hours or around the clock, so shifts can be during the day, the evening or overnight, and often include weekends. Amazon’s fulfilment centre postings in Canada, for example, describe fixed full-time schedules with day or overnight options that usually include at least one weekend day. Overnight and weekend shifts sometimes pay more, so check the details in each posting.

Physical and Safety Requirements

• Physical work – you will usually stand and walk for most of the shift, bend and lift. Each posting lists its own requirements; for example, a Walmart Canada stocking posting describes lifting up to 20 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Safety footwear – many warehouses require approved safety boots.
• WHMIS – workers who handle hazardous products receive training under WHMIS, Canada’s system for workplace hazard information.
• Equipment training – forklifts and other powered equipment can only be operated by workers who have been trained to use them safely.
• Your right to a safe workplace – workers in Canada have the right to know about hazards, to take part in health and safety, and to refuse work they believe is dangerous.

Who Warehouse Jobs Suit

• People who like active, hands-on work more than sitting at a desk
• People looking for full-time hours or a fixed schedule
• Workers who can do night or weekend shifts
• Anyone interested in logistics, with options to grow into equipment, lead or supervisor roles

How to Apply

1. Choose the employers and locations you can reach easily, especially for early or overnight shifts.
2. Apply on the employer’s official career site, or through a reputable staffing agency.
3. Read the schedule, pay and physical requirements in the posting before you apply.
4. On your resume, highlight reliability, attention to detail and any experience with scanners, inventory or equipment.
5. Keep your phone and email nearby: warehouses often move quickly from application to start date.