As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Warehouse Material Handler III in California is $51,463 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Warehouse Material Handler III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Warehouse Material Handler III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $56,733 | $4,728 | $1,091 | $27 |
| Average | $51,463 | $4,289 | $990 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,693 | $3,974 | $917 | $23 |
U.S. Venture - Union City, CA
TCWGlobal - Hercules, CA
TCWGlobal - El Sobrante, CA
Energy Recovery - San Leandro, CA
A Warehouse Material Handler III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Warehouse Material Handler III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Materials Handler | 0-1 years | $40,868 |
| Forklift/Jack Materials Handler II | 1-3 years | $45,581 |
| Warehouse Material Handler III | 3-5 years | $51,444 |
| Materials Load Planning Supervisor | 5+ years | $84,898 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Warehouse Material Handler IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Warehouse Material Handler III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $57,561. While startup companies pay approximate $48,679.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $48,679 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $51,486 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $55,586 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $57,561 |
For Warehouse Material Handler III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Warehouse Material Handler positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Warehouse Material Handler III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $61,756 | $30.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $61,756 | $30.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $59,182 | $28.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $56,609 | $27.0 | 10% |
| Media | $56,609 | $27.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Warehouse Material Handler III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $56,733 | $4,728 | $1,091 | $27 |
| Average | $51,463 | $4,289 | $990 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,693 | $3,974 | $917 | $23 |
For a Warehouse Material Handler III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Materials Load Planning Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $84,900 - a projected growth of 65% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Warehouse Material Handler III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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