Salaries for most warehousing employees are trending up, according to 2008 Warehousing Salaries and Wages, the new study published by the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC).  However, some surprising developments were revealed, particularly in sales compensation. Among exempt employees, traffic managers, general managers and office managers experienced the greatest increase in median salary at 17.9 percent, 17.6 percent and 16.5 percent respectively. Compensation for sales positions at all levels declined by as much as 16.2 percent, in part due to a loss in bonuses/commissions received.

With a 7.1 percent increase in median wages, warehouse workers enjoyed the highest percentage gain among non-exempt employees.  Customer service representatives’ pay increased 5.4 percent, widening the gap from $.07 to $.38 per hour between their compensation and the second-highest paid (shipping and receiving clerks).