UPS warehouse jobs start at $21 an hour for part-time package handlers.
The roles are union jobs with scheduled raises, weekly pay and a pension plan on top of the 401(k).
Read on for real openings, shift times, requirements and the exact steps to apply on the UPS site.
UPS warehouse jobs pay and benefits
UPS warehouse jobs for part-time package handlers start at $21 an hour, the starting rate set in the Teamsters contract signed in 2023. Every UPS package handler post we reviewed listed the same $21 rate, in cities from North Carolina to New York.
Pay goes up with time on the job. Summaries of the contract describe scheduled raises for part-time workers and higher starting rates in some competitive markets. Supervisor roles pay much more:
| Role and location | Hourly pay listed |
|---|---|
| Warehouse Worker, Package Handler, Mebane, NC | $21.00 |
| Seasonal Package Handler, Buffalo, NY | $21.00 |
| Warehouse Worker / Cover Driver, Poughkeepsie, NY | $21.00 |
| Preload Part Time Supervisor, Springfield Gardens, NY | $26.25 to $42.65 |
How UPS pay grows over time
Guides to the contract describe a $0.50 raise for each year on the part-time scale until you reach the top rate, plus overtime pay when a shift runs long. Full-time inside jobs, which open up as people move on, start at a higher contract rate than part-time work.
Benefits for UPS package handlers
This is where UPS stands out. The official UPS careers page and a recent package handler post list benefits that are rare for part-time warehouse work:
Requirements for UPS package handlers
UPS asks package handlers to lift up to 70 pounds, to have the legal right to work in the US and to wear sturdy work shoes. No degree or experience is listed. Expect a background check and a drug test before you start.
Real UPS package handler job openings
These UPS package handler jobs were live on public job boards when we updated this guide. They show the real pay, duties and requirements you will find when you search near you.
UPS also posts part-time supervisor roles that pay $26.25 to $42.65 an hour in New York, for preload, twilight and seasonal teams. These roles are a natural next step once you know the hub.
What a UPS package handler shift looks like
UPS package handler shifts are short, usually a few hours, and they happen when packages need to move. The common names are preload in the early morning, twilight in the evening and the night sort.
Imagine the preload: you start before sunrise, packages slide down the belt, and you load each one onto the right shelf of a brown truck so the driver can deliver in order. By mid-morning the trucks roll out and your shift ends.
Guides to the UPS contract also describe a minimum of 3.5 hours of pay for each scheduled shift, even on light days. Check the details with the hub during hiring.
⚠️ Heads up: The 70-pound limit is real. Lift with your legs, ask for help with awkward boxes and wear sturdy shoes from the first day.
The work is hard on the body for the first few weeks, but short shifts make it easy to combine with classes or a second job. Hiring is open all year and grows from October to December.
How to apply for UPS warehouse jobs step by step
You apply for UPS warehouse jobs on the official UPS jobs site, and UPS says some positions give a job offer as soon as you finish the application.
Choose the shift you can always make before you start, because preload, twilight and night sort have very different hours. Then follow these steps:
- 1Open the UPS jobs site and go to the hourly roles section.
- 2Search package handler jobs by city or zip code.
- 3Pick the shift that fits your life such as preload, twilight or night sort.
- 4Complete the online application with an email and phone number you check daily.
- 5Accept the offer and schedule onboarding for paperwork, the background check and the drug test.
- 6Show up to your first shift prepared with work shoes, gloves and your ID.
For onboarding, bring documents that prove your identity and your right to work in the US, such as a passport, or a driver’s license plus a Social Security card. Having them ready can speed up your start date.
If you get stuck, the UPS jobs site lists a recruiting phone line, 888-985-7755. A common mistake is choosing a shift you cannot keep; attendance matters a lot in the first weeks.
UPS package handler FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about UPS package handler jobs.
How much does a UPS package handler make?
Part-time package handlers start at $21 an hour under the Teamsters contract. Pay rises over time, and part-time supervisors earn $26.25 to $42.65 an hour in some markets.
Do UPS package handlers get benefits?
Yes. UPS lists a 401(k) plus a pension, and posts mention medical, dental and vision with a $0 premium after an eligibility period, plus paid time off.
How much can a UPS package handler lift?
UPS posts ask package handlers to be able to lift up to 70 pounds. Learn the right lifting technique early and use it on every box, even when the belt is fast.
Does UPS pay for college for package handlers?
UPS says some locations offer up to $25,000 in college tuition. Ask about the program at your hub before you accept the job.
Are UPS warehouse jobs part-time?
Most package handler roles are part-time, with a few hours per shift. UPS also has full-time, year-round and seasonal roles.
How UPS warehouse jobs compare with other employers
UPS pays above the national middle for this work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of $18.38 an hour for hand laborers and material movers, and UPS starts part-time handlers at $21.
The other big employers are close behind or ahead, depending on the city. Amazon reports an average starting pay above $23, Walmart distribution centers list $17.85 to $40.40, and The Home Depot posts warehouse jobs around $19 to $22.75. Compare all five in our guide to the best companies hiring for entry-level warehouse jobs.
Compare other warehouse employers
AMAZON WAREHOUSE JOBS: PAY AND OPENINGS ›WALMART WAREHOUSE JOBS: PAY AND OPENINGS ›FEDEX WAREHOUSE JOBS: PACKAGE HANDLER PAY ›THE HOME DEPOT WAREHOUSE JOBS: PAY AND OPENINGS ›
The pension and the union contract give UPS warehouse jobs a level of long-term security that is rare in this field. If long-term security matters more to you than the highest starting rate, UPS is hard to beat.
Apply for UPS warehouse jobs today
If you want a $21 starting rate, weekly pay and benefits that grow with time, UPS warehouse jobs are one of the best entry points in logistics.
Pick the shift you can keep, search your zip code and apply today, especially before the holiday peak fills the open spots.
Apply on the official UPS jobs site
ℹ️ Important: this content is informational and independent. We have no relationship with, sponsorship from or control over the companies mentioned, and we do not collect applications. Pay, benefits and openings change often; always confirm on the official careers site.
