1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Order picker

Order picker

Alternative titles for this job include Order assembler, warehouse assistant

Order pickers find and check all the things on a customer's order and send them to be packed.

Average salary (a year)

£14,000 Starter

to

£23,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an order picker

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Apprenticeship

Depending on where you work, you could do a:

  • warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship
  • express delivery sortation hub operative intermediate apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to be an order picker. 

You might need:

  • GCSEs in maths and English
  • computer skills to use online sales systems and stock control scanners
  • to do a short test at interview to check your practical skills

More Information

Career tips

You might find it useful for some jobs if you've done forklift training.

Further information

Order picker jobs can often be temporary, part-time or available through an agency.

You can find out more about warehouse work from the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) and from Generation Logistics.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of English language
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • pick items to match the customer's order sheet
  • use voice-activated picking machines and hand scanners
  • check quality of items and put them in a trolley to be packed
  • choose suitable replacements where items have sold out
  • update customer records 
  • pack items if you work in a small warehouse or help customers if you work in a store

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse or at a store.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and cold.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Warehouse Operative

  • Wage: £12,870.00 Annually
  • Location: Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent

Apprentice Warehouse Operative

  • Wage: £10,004.80 to £19,760.00 Annually
  • Location: Snetterton, Norfolk
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Warehousing and Storage Level 2

  • Provider: EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 August 2023
  • Location: Not known

Principles of Warehousing & Storage Level 2 Certificate

  • Provider: SHIPLEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 June 2023
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.