Distribution Center Compensation Survey - 2026

Current Survey Status

2026 Survey Materials Available

Participating This Year?

Click Here to let us know if you plan on participating in the survey this year, or if you need further information!

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Cherrity Ricks
+1 408 660 3272
cherrity@wmgnet.com

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Survey Blog

2026 Survey Materials Available
03 November 2025

2025 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
28 August 2025

2024 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
27 August 2024

2023 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
30 August 2023

2022 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
31 August 2022

2021 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
23 August 2021

2020 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
31 August 2020

2019 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
14 August 2019

2018 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
23 August 2018

2017 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
14 August 2017

2016 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
15 August 2016

Conducted annually since 2010, the Distribution Center Compensation Survey collects data for key jobs found in a distribution center environment across all industries.

This survey covers Total Cash Compensation in the form of Base Pay, Target and Actual Variable Cash plus Long Term Incentives. In addition, In-Hire Rate is collected for applicable positions. Data is collected on an incumbent basis to ensure a complete picture of all compensation elements and true percentile analysis.

Key Features

279 participants were included in the 2025 Distribution Center Compensation Survey
Data is collected and reported for over 100 major metro areas
Incumbent Based Data
Guaranteed Payments and Allowances
Current Base Pay
Target Variable Cash
Total Targeted Cash (Base Pay + Target Variable Cash)
Actual Variable Cash
Total Actual Cash (Base Pay + Actual Variable Cash)
Job Level Scoping Factors
LTI Programs
Seven Countries are Covered - spanning the Americas and EMEA
227 Standardized Benchmark Positions
Data Reviewed and Verified by Compensation Professionals
Data Scrutinized by a Series of Complex Computer Editing Processes
Participant Job Matching Meetings Conducted
DataCentral® and PolicyCentral® Tools Provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST
Input via our user-friendly SmartScreen® Template
Electronic Output in Adobe Acrobat PDF and Microsoft XLS Software formats
Run Your Own Customized Peer-Selections - Export to PDF or Spreadsheet
Age Data - YOU choose the Percent and Age-To-Date
Customize the Percentiles in Your Reports
Adjust Exchange Rates for your Reports
Aggregate Data Presentations - No Company Specific Information Revealed
Results are Available to Participants ONLY
Multiple Output Reports Available to Meet YOUR Needs

New This Year

New Field

Entity / Division / Business Unit

Please refer to the survey Input Instructions for a full list of updated and revised survey content.

Countries

The survey covers seven major countries in the Americas and EMEA, with over 100 specific metropolitan areas included.

Canada
France
Germany

Mexico
Netherlands

United Kingdom
United States

Survey Schedule

November 2025
1 April 2026
15 May 2026
August 2026

Distribution of Input Materials
Data Effective Date
Deadline for Submission of Data - Earn a $75 discount for submitting on-time!
Results Available for Participants via DataCentral

Survey Fees

All survey results are delivered via our DataCentral® online survey report tool. You have YEAR ROUND access to both the Standard Report which includes data from ALL participants on ALL jobs, and Custom Results where you can create your own report selections based on your choice of companies, product sectors, geographies, revenue, etc. With the Custom Report you have complete control of the complexity of analyses, comparisons, and customization of results from the survey database, and you can run an unlimited number of reports to satisfy your needs on a 24x7 basis. All results are provided in both PDF and XLS Formats, including uploadable XLS versions.

DataCentral® Access

Provides BOTH Standard and Custom Report Access $ 2,100

Survey Discounts

We firmly believe in rewarding our survey participants for helping to make our surveys better. You can earn significant discounts this year!

$ 75		On-Time Discount if you submit your data by 15 May 2026
$ 250		Previous Participant Discount for all 2025 Distribution Center Survey Participants
$ 300		New Participant Referral Discount for each new participant you refer – PLUS the company you refer also receives this discount!
$ 1,000		Multi-Survey Discount if you participate and purchase both the Retail Sales Compensation Survey and the Distribution Center Compensation Survey in 2026, you will receive $1,000 off of your Retail Sales Survey Fees.

Participants are invoiced when we receive their input to the survey. All applicable discounts are applied at that time.

Survey Results and Samples - DataCentral®

There are two levels of results access available depending on your needs…whether you only need the Standard Report in PDF or XLS format covering ALL of the participants and ALL of the jobs, or Custom Report access which provides complex reporting “drill-down” capabilities. Regardless of the level chosen, all participants will receive a FULL YEAR of 24x7 access to DataCentral® to download your reports online, or run unlimited Custom Reports and get immediate results. Both levels described below will provide the analyses in both PDF and XLS Formats.

STANDARD DOWNLOADABLE REPORTS

Download the full survey Standard Report which contains ALL data from ALL participants. Your data is included in the computation of job data statistics and totals. Available in both Adobe Acrobat.pdf and Excel.xls formats, at no additional cost.

Job Descriptions: Uploadable job descriptions in Excel, Word and Adobe Acrobat are also provided at no additional cost.

Summary Report: Displays a line of data for each job, including basic statistics such as:

Average or Median Salary Range Minimum

Average or Median Salary Range Control Point
Average or Median Salary Range Maximum

Average or Median In-Hire Rate

Average or Median Actual Base Pay
Average or Median Targeted Bonus Percentage

Average or Median Targeted Total Compensation

View a sample of the Summary Report

Detail Report: Provides a full page of data analysis for each job, including statistics on each pay element such as:

90th, 75th, 50th, 25th 10th Percentiles

Number of Employees Reported
Employee Weighted Average
Number of Companies
Company Weighted Average

Earnings Mix: Showing Base, Variable Cash as a percentage of Total Cash

Prevalence and Impact Statistics and Analysis for various Pay Element

View a sample of the Detail Report

Breakout Report: For each survey job, displays averages or median of each pay element by Product Segment, Geographic Area and Revenue.

Average or Median Base Pay

Average or Median Variable Cash

Average or Median Total Compensation

Average or Median Target Variable Cash

Total Number of Incumbents

Total Number of Companies

View a sample of the Breakout Report

Uploadable Excel Report: Provides a job-by-job spreadsheet report with all of the major statistics and pay elements laid out in a readily uploadable format for third party analysis software.

CUSTOM GENERATED REPORTS

The Custom Report Option offers detailed and full customized reporting capability. Ideal for participants who need reports based on a selected set of participants or to meet specific scoping criteria. You have complete control and flexibility in defining your own reports to include the pay elements and statistics you require.

Company Selections
Company Size by Revenue or Employment
Industry Segment and Product Category
Geographic Area: Region/State/Metro Area
Data Elements and Statistics Calculations
Custom Percentiles
Standard Deviations
Weighted and Simple Averages
Data Aging
And much more!

Includes all of the above reports from the Standard level PLUS

Uploadable Excel Breakout Report: Similar to the Uploadable Excel Report above, PLUS adds the ability to split the results into categories such as Geography, Product, or Revenue, etc.

Market Comparison Report: Provides a tabular and graphic comparison of your own company data to that of your selected market. An easy way to show competitive standing of your company.

View a sample of the Market Comparison Report

For a live demonstration of the power, flexibility and capabilities of DataCentral go to www.wmgnet.com and scroll down to ”Our Features” under “DataCentral” and click on “Take a Test Drive”, or call Cherrity Ricks at +1 408 660 3272 for additional guidance.

Recent Participants - 2025

Abercrombie & Fitch
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Ace Hardware
ADUSA Services
Advance Auto Parts
AIT Worldwide Logistics
Alex Lee
Amazon.com
American Eagle Outfitters
American Honda Motor
American Municipal Power
Antinori Napa Valley
Aperture Cellars
Apple House Vineyard Office
Argyle/Dundee Wine
Associated Food Stores
Associated Fresh Markets
Associated Grocers of New England
Autoliv ASP
AutoZone
Avnet
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works
Beaulieu Vineyard
Belk
Beringer Winery
BestBuy
Big House Wines
Big Ranch Road Vineyard
Blue Diamond Growers
Bob's Discount Furniture
Bogle Family Wine Collection
Boisset Collection
Bonterra Organic Estates
Bridgestone Americas
Brigham Young University/Idaho
Brookshire Grocery
Buena Vista Winery
Bundschu Company
Bush Brothers
C & S Wholesale Grocers
C. Mondavi & Family
Cakebread Cellars
Calistoga Depot
Canandaigua Winery Office
Capri Holdings Limited
Cardinal Health
Casey's General Stores
CDW
Cencora
Chalk Hill Winery
Chalone Vineyard
Chandon California
Chewy
City Brewing
Clif Family Winery & Farm
Cliff Lede Vineyards
Coach
Columbia Crest Winery
Conagra Brands
Covenant Transport
Crate & Barrel
Crimson Wine Group
Curaleaf Holdings
Cutler Vineyards
CVS Health
Dan's Supermarkets
Darioush Winery
Dart Container
De Loach Winery
Deckers Outdoor
Del Dotto Vineyards
Delicato Family Vineyards
Dick's Markets
Dick's Sporting Goods
Disney Experiences
Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners
Dollar General
Domaine Carneros
Domino's
DP World
DuMOL Winery
Dunnewood Vineyards
E. & J. Gallo Winery/Fresno
E. & J. Gallo Winery/Sonoma
eBay
Episode Winery
Essendant
Eversource Energy
F. Korbel
Ferrari Carano Vineyards & Winery
FN Cellars
Foley Family Wines
Food Lion
Foot Locker
Frank Family Vineyards
Franzia Vineyards
Gallo
Gap
Genuine Parts
Giant of Maryland
Golden State Vintners
Gonzales Winery
Grape Creek Vineyards
Green Thumb Industries
Greystone Power Corporation
GSC Wholesale
GU Markets
H-E-B Grocery
Hall Wines
Hallmark Cards
Hannaford Bros
Hess Persson Estates
Home Depot
Ilitch Holdings
Imperial Dade
Infinity Bottling
Inglenook Winery
Ingram Micro
International Motors Inc
Isuzu North America
J. Crew
J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Jackson Family Wines
Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Joel Gott
John Anthony Wines
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Justin Winery & Vineyard
Kenco Group
Keurig Dr Pepper
Kohl's
Kroger
Kubota Tractor
Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards
L.L. Bean
Landmark Vineyards

LangeTwins Winery
Lin's Supermarkets
Lineage Logistics
LKQ
Lockheed Martin
Lodi Distribution Center
Loves Country Store
Lowe's Home Improvement
Lowes Foods
Mac Rostie Winery
Macey's Supermarkets
Macy's
Martin's Foods of South Burlington
Mary Kay
Mattel
Mayo Clinic
McFarland Vineyards
McKesson
Meijer
MetroHealth
Michaels Stores
Mission Bell Winery
Mogen David Winery
MyLand
Napa Bottling Center
Napa Wine Company
Nestle USA
Nissan America
Nordstrom
NOW Health Group
O'Neill Vintners & Distillers
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Oakville Grocery
Oakville Wine Merchant
ODW Logistics
Opus One
Owens & Minor
PACE Supply
Pacific Union
PacSun
Parksite
Paul Hobbs Winery
Peju Province Winery
Penske Truck Leasing
Performance Food Group
Pernod Ricard Kenwood
Pernod Ricard Winemakers USA
Petco Health and Wellness Company
Piggly Wiggly Midwest
Pine Ridge Winery
Plump Jack Winery
Publix Supermarkets
Purple Brands
PW Retail Foods
Quad
Quady Winery
Quintessa
Quintessential Wines
Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services
Radial
Raymond Vineyard & Cellar
Realm Cellars
Ridge Vineyards & Winery
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Room & Board
Round Pond Estate
Ryder System
Sally Beauty Holdings
Sanford Winery
Save-A-Lot
Savers
Schneider National
Schramsberg Vineyards
Scribe Winery
Seekwell
Sephora USA
Sheetz
Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative
Silver Oak Wine Cellars
Silverado Vineyards
Snap-On
Sonoma Bottling Facility
Southwest Research Institute
SpartanNash
Sprouts Farmers Market
St. John's University
Stampin Up
Starbucks Coffee Company
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Stoller Wine Group
Stop & Shop Supermarkets
Subaru of America
Tapestry
Target
TaylorMade Golf
TD Synnex
Teleflex
Terlato Wine Group
Textron Systems
The Duckhorn Portfolio
The Giant Company
The Prisoner Wine Company
The Wine Group
The Wonderful Company
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Torrid
Toyota Motors North America
Tractor Supply
Treasury Wine Estates Americas
Trefethen Vineyards Winery
Trinchero Family Estates
Trinchero Lodi
Tulane University
U.S. Foods
Uline
Ulta Beauty
UNFI
Union Wine Company
University of Pennsylvania
University of San Francisco
University of Texas at Austin/Applied Research Laboratories
V2X
Vestis
Victoria's Secret & Co
Victory Distributors
Vineyard 29
W. Lee Flowers
Walsh Vineyards Management
Wayfair
Wente Family Estates
Wesco Distribution
White Castle Systems
Whole Foods Market
Williams-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma Outlet
WinCo Foods
Wine Service Cooperative
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
WX Brands
Zumiez

Survey Job Coverage

NEW AND REVISED POSITIONS INDICATED IN BOLD RED ITALICS

DISTRIBUTION CENTER JOB FAMILIES

Dispatchers

Dispatcher - Entry
Dispatcher - Intermediate
Dispatcher - Career
Dispatcher - Specialist
Dispatcher - Lead

Equipment Operators

Equipment Operator - Entry
Equipment Operator - Intermediate
Equipment Operator - Career
Equipment Operator - Specialist
Equipment Operator - Lead

Expeditors

Expeditor - Entry
Expeditor - Intermediate
Expeditor - Career
Expeditor - Specialist
Expeditor - Lead

Forklift Operators

Forklift Operator - Entry
Forklift Operator - Intermediate
Forklift Operator - Career
Forklift Operator - Specialist
Forklift Operator - Lead

Loaders

Loader - Entry
Loader - Intermediate
Loader - Career
Loader - Specialist
Loader - Lead

Logistics / Transportation

Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Entry
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Intermediate
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Career
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Specialist
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Lead
Logistics / Transportation Supervisor
Logistics / Transportation Tactical Manager
Logistics / Transportation Strategic Manager

Pickers / Packers

Picker / Packer - Entry
Picker / Packer - Intermediate
Picker / Packer - Career
Picker / Packer - Specialist
Picker / Packer - Lead

Product Assemblers

Product Assembler - Entry
Product Assembler - Intermediate
Product Assembler - Career
Product Assembler - Specialist
Product Assembler - Lead

Product Repair Technicians

Product Repair Technician - Entry
Product Repair Technician - Intermediate
Product Repair Technician - Career
Product Repair Technician - Specialist
Product Repair Technician - Lead

Quality Assurance Inspectors

Quality Assurance Inspector - Entry
Quality Assurance Inspector - Intermediate
Quality Assurance Inspector - Career
Quality Assurance Inspector - Specialist
Quality Assurance Inspector - Lead

Returns Processors

Returns Processor - Entry
Returns Processor - Intermediate
Returns Processor - Career
Returns Processor - Specialist
Returns Processor - Lead

Sales Account Management Logistics Services

Sales Account Manager - Entry
Sales Account Manager - Career
Sales Account Manager - Specialist
Sales Account Manager - Consultant
Sales Supervisor
Sales Tactical Manager
Sales Strategic Manager

Shippers / Receivers

Shipper - Entry
Shipper - Intermediate
Shipper - Career
Shipper - Specialist
Shipper - Lead

Receiver - Entry
Receiver - Intermediate
Receiver - Career
Receiver - Specialist
Receiver - Lead

Shipper / Receiver - Entry
Shipper / Receiver - Intermediate
Shipper / Receiver - Career
Shipper / Receiver - Specialist
Shipper / Receiver - Lead

Truck Drivers

Truck Driver - Class A CDL - Entry
Truck Driver - Class A CDL - Intermediate
Truck Driver - Class A CDL - Career
Truck Driver - Class A CDL - Specialist
Truck Driver - Class A CDL - Lead

Truck Driver - Class B CDL - Entry
Truck Driver - Class B CDL - Intermediate
Truck Driver - Class B CDL - Career
Truck Driver - Class B CDL - Specialist
Truck Driver - Class B CDL - Lead

Truck Driver - Class C CDL - Entry
Truck Driver - Class C CDL - Intermediate
Truck Driver - Class C CDL - Career
Truck Driver - Class C CDL - Specialist
Truck Driver - Class C CDL - Lead

Truck Driver - No CDL - Entry
Truck Driver - No CDL - Intermediate
Truck Driver - No CDL - Career
Truck Driver - No CDL - Specialist
Truck Driver - No CDL - Lead

Truck Driver Trainers

Truck Driver Trainer - Entry
Truck Driver Trainer - Intermediate
Truck Driver Trainer - Career
Truck Driver Trainer - Specialist

Vehicle Mechanics

Vehicle Mechanic - Entry
Vehicle Mechanic - Intermediate
Vehicle Mechanic - Career
Vehicle Mechanic - Specialist
Vehicle Mechanic - Lead

Vendor Compliance Coordinators

Vendor Compliance Coordinator - Entry
Vendor Compliance Coordinator - Intermediate
Vendor Compliance Coordinator - Career
Vendor Compliance Coordinator - Specialist
Vendor Compliance Coordinator - Lead

Warehouse General Workers

Warehouse General Worker - Entry
Warehouse General Worker - Intermediate
Warehouse General Worker - Career
Warehouse General Worker - Specialist
Warehouse General Worker - Lead

Yard Switchers

Yard Switcher - With CDL - Entry
Yard Switcher - With CDL - Intermediate
Yard Switcher - With CDL - Career
Yard Switcher - With CDL - Specialist
Yard Switcher - With CDL - Lead

Yard Switcher - No CDL - Entry
Yard Switcher - No CDL - Intermediate
Yard Switcher - No CDL - Career
Yard Switcher - No CDL - Specialist
Yard Switcher - No CDL - Lead

Distribution Center Trainers

Distribution Center Trainer - Entry
Distribution Center Trainer - Intermediate
Distribution Center Trainer - Career
Distribution Center Trainer - Specialist
Distribution Center Trainer - Lead

DISTRIBUTION CENTER GENERAL MANAGEMENT JOB FAMILIES

Warehouse Management

Warehouse Supervisor
Warehouse Tactical Manager
Warehouse Strategic Manager

Distribution Center Upper Level Management

Distribution Center Assistant Manager
Distribution Center General Manager
Distribution Center Regional Manager
Distribution Center National Manager

CORPORATE / CROSS-INDUSTRY JOB FAMILIES

Administrative Support

Administrative Support - Entry
Administrative Support - Intermediate
Administrative Support - Career
Administrative Support - Specialist
Administrative Support - Lead
Executive Support - Intermediate
Executive Support - Career
Administrative Support Supervisor
Administrative Support Tactical Manager

Customer Service

Customer Service Representative - Entry
Customer Service Representative - Intermediate
Customer Service Representative - Career
Customer Service Representative - Specialist
Customer Service Representative - Lead
Customer Service Supervisor
Customer Service Tactical Manager
Customer Service Strategic Manager
Customer Service Top Manager

Engineering

Industrial Engineer - Entry
Industrial Engineer - Career
Industrial Engineer - Specialist
Engineering Supervisor
Engineering Tactical Manager
Engineering Strategic Manager

Facilities Maintenance

Facilities Maintenance Worker - Entry
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Intermediate
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Career
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Specialist
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Lead
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic - Entry
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic - Intermediate
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic - Career
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic - Specialist
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic - Lead
Facilities Supervisor
Facilities Tactical Manager

Health, Safety & Environmental

Health, Safety & Environmental Representative - Entry
Health, Safety & Environmental Representative - Intermediate
Health, Safety & Environmental Representative - Career
Health, Safety & Environmental Representative - Specialist
Health, Safety & Environmental Representative - Lead
Health, Safety & Environmental Supervisor
Health, Safety & Environmental Tactical Manager

Human Resources

Human Resources Assistant - Career
Human Resources Assistant - Specialist
Human Resources Representative - Entry
Human Resources Representative - Intermediate
Human Resources Representative - Career
Human Resources Representative - Specialist
Human Resources Supervisor
Human Resources Tactical Manager
Human Resources Strategic Manager

Information Technologies (Internal IT)

IT Computer Technician - Entry
IT Computer Technician - Intermediate
IT Computer Technician - Career
IT Computer Technician - Specialist
IT Computer Technician - Lead
IT Systems Analyst - Entry
IT Systems Analyst - Career
IT Systems Analyst - Specialist
IT Supervisor
IT Tactical Manager

Inventory Control

Inventory Control Coordinator - Entry
Inventory Control Coordinator - Intermediate
Inventory Control Coordinator - Career
Inventory Control Coordinator - Specialist
Inventory Control Coordinator - Lead
Inventory Control Supervisor
Inventory Control Tactical Manager

Janitorial

Janitor / Custodian - Entry
Janitor / Custodian - Intermediate
Janitor / Custodian - Career
Janitor / Custodian - Lead

Loss Prevention

Loss Prevention Specialist - Entry
Loss Prevention Specialist - Career
Loss Prevention Specialist - Specialist
Loss Prevention Specialist - Lead
Loss Prevention Supervisor
Loss Prevention Tactical Manager

Security

Security Guard - Entry
Security Guard - Intermediate
Security Guard - Career
Security Guard - Specialist
Security Guard - Lead
Security Supervisor
Security Tactical Manager

DataCentral® Access
Provides BOTH Standard and Custom Report Access	$ 2,100