Also called: LTL Dock Worker, Cross-Dock Associate
Loads and unloads freight on a trucking company dock, often driving a forklift.
Dock workers move pallets between trailers on night shifts, scan freight, and load trailers so nothing shifts in transit. Many trucking companies pay to train dock workers as drivers.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree; forklift training on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 53-7062: Slower than average (1% to 2%).
Medium risk for 10 years. Self-driving forklifts and robot unloaders are spreading; mixed freight keeps some human handlers, but fewer.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to LTL freight carriers (like Old Dominion, Estes or XPO) for dock worker jobs
Classes: PE or fitness, Math.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-7062.
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