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Dock Helper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dock Attendant

Hemet, CA · On-site

$15.50 - $18/hr

Dock Attendant Location: Diamond Valley Marina - Hemet, CA Department: Operations Reports To ... Help ensure compliance with marina rules, safety policies, and U.S. Coast Guard guidelines.

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Showing results 1-20

Dock Helper information

See California salary details

$11

$20

$26

How much do dock helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for dock helper in California is $20.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dock helper?

Dock Helpers, also known as dock workers or dock laborers, are responsible for assisting with the loading and unloading of goods at warehouses, shipping docks, or freight terminals. Their duties often include moving cargo, operating forklifts or pallet jacks, inspecting shipments for damage, and ensuring that items are properly stored or loaded onto trucks and ships. Dock Helpers play a crucial role in maintaining the smooth flow of goods in the supply chain and must follow safety procedures to prevent accidents. The job can be physically demanding and typically requires teamwork and attention to detail.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a dock helper?

To thrive as a Dock Helper, you need physical stamina, basic math skills, and knowledge of safe material handling, often with a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with forklifts, pallet jacks, and warehouse management systems is commonly required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication make someone stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient loading and unloading, minimize workplace accidents, and support smooth warehouse operations.

What challenges do dock helpers face during busy shipping seasons, and how can they manage them?

During peak shipping periods, Dock Helpers often experience increased workloads, tighter deadlines, and more frequent coordination with drivers and warehouse staff. Managing these challenges involves staying organized, maintaining clear communication with team members, and adhering to proper safety protocols under pressure. Being proactive about reporting equipment issues and practicing efficient loading and unloading techniques can also help maintain productivity and reduce stress during busy times.

What is the difference between Dock Helper vs Dock Worker?

AspectDock HelperDock Worker
CredentialsMinimal certifications, safety trainingMay require OSHA certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentAssists with loading/unloading, supports dock operationsPerforms loading, unloading, and physical handling of cargo
Industry UsageCommonly used in shipping, logistics, and freight industriesUsed in shipping yards, ports, and freight terminals

Dock Helper and Dock Worker roles overlap in supporting cargo handling at docks. Dock Helpers typically assist with loading and unloading tasks, requiring basic safety training, while Dock Workers perform more direct cargo handling and may need additional certifications. Both roles are essential in logistics operations, but Dock Workers usually have more responsibilities and physical demands.

How to get a job working on the docks?

To get a job as a dock helper, you should look for openings at shipping companies, warehouses, or ports, and submit applications directly or through job boards. Relevant skills include physical stamina, attention to safety procedures, and the ability to operate basic equipment. Some positions may require a high school diploma or equivalent and the ability to work flexible hours or shifts.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dock jobs in California?

The most popular types of Dock jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Dock Helper jobs in California?

For Dock Helper jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dock Helper jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Dock Helper jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Dock Helper jobs?

Cities in California with the most Dock Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Dock Helper job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $42,025 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

Material Handler / Dock Helper

Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay

South San Francisco, CA

$18.15/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 18 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Unload trucks and trailers to support production and revenue goals following proper handling, loading, and unloading procedures.

  • Deliver goods to workstations using proper equipment, sort and label goods by category, and secure shipments according to proper procedures.

  • Perform inventory counts based on invoices, bills of lading, trailer manifests, or packing slips when loading and unloading goods and shipments.


Job description

100 Utah Ave South San Francisco California, 94080,
Pay Range Minimum
$18.15
JOB SUMMARY
The Material Handler unloads trucks and trailers to support production and revenue goals by following proper handling, loading and unloading procedures. This includes loading store shipments according to bill of lading and delivering goods and equipment to locations and workstation in a safe, timely and efficient manner using proper equipment as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Participate in all training activities to acquire skills on the job
• Learn and apply company policies, procedures and guidelines to complete assigned duties
• Deliver goods to workstation using proper equipment
• Sort and label goods by category and place in proper containers or equipment
• Stack donated goods neatly and safely
• Handle goods and equipment properly to avoid damage or breakage
• Load and secure shipments according to proper procedure
• Place recyclable materials in proper containers
• Perform inventory count based on invoices, bills of lading, trailer manifest or packing slip when loading and unloading goods and when loading and unloading shipments and store returns
• Assist drivers in loading / unloading of goods or equipment
• Maintain good housekeeping around dock area
• Complete production and inventory reports; submit needed reports and information in a timely manner
• Perform "Processor" responsibilities as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• Read and write English proficiently
• Basic mathematical skills
• Follow workplace quality and safety standards and contribute to a culture of safety
• Receptive to feedback, willing to learn and embrace continuous improvement
• Strive for high customer satisfaction, going out of the way to be helpful and pleasant
• Ability to identify different categories of donated goods such as clothing, housewares, shoes, purses, etc.
• Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with diverse group of individuals from a variety of educational, social and economic backgrounds
• Respects and has knowledge of cultures, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientations and age groups other than one's own
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Able to stand on hard surfaces for an extended period of time
Working at Goodwill is more than a job-it is an opportunity for people needing a second chance in entering or re-entering the workplace to build the foundation of knowledge, skills, and experience to advance in their careers.
Our supportive employment programs provide an opportunity to learn while you earn to advance along technology, retail, warehousing and logistics, e-commerce or our Corporate Services Career Pathways program.
Full-time jobs at Goodwill SF Bay offer medical, dental & vision insurance, a retirement fund, professional development training, commuter benefits, flexible healthcare spending account, and a mental health + wellbeing employee assistance program, in addition to a positive, growth-oriented environment.
Become a valued member of an organization where good work meets community impact. Our mission is: Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Families, and Building Stronger Communities. Goodwill provides no-cost career development, training, and education services to help individuals build a better life for themselves and their families. Our core values are Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation. Everything we accomplish as a team is centered around these core values. Together, we create an inclusive and welcoming environment for each other. With stores conveniently located near you, you can work for a company where team strength and success are valued and encouraged. Join our team and gain opportunities for job growth at Goodwill and beyond.
Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race (including traits associated with race, e.g., hairstyles), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, military status, age, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state and local fair employment practice laws.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Individuals with a disability may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or state or local laws. Please contact Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay at 1-833-624-0920 option 6 or leaves@goodwillaz.org if you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For questions about your application or employment with Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay, please contact our Candidate Support Line at 1-833-624-0920, option 5.
PHISHING SCAM WARNING: Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona/Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc/Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay ("GCNA/GIMV/GSFB") are among several companies recently made aware of a phishing scam involving con artists posing as hiring managers recruiting via email, text and social media. The imposters are creating misleading email accounts, conducting remote "interviews," and making artificial job offers in order to collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. Please note that GCNA/GIMV/GSFB only use company email addresses, which contain "@goodwillaz.org" or "@gimv.org" or "@sfgoodwill.org", to communicate with candidates via email. The company also uses secure tools on our website to receive data from applicants and would never ask them to submit their personal banking information to apply for an open job. If you are contacted by someone about an open job at GCNA/GIMV/GSFB please verify the domain of the sender's email address and that they are asking you to apply on this website. If you believe you have been a victim of a phishing scam, please visit the Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Smart website (https://www.cisa.gov/be-cyber-smart/campaign) to learn how to report it.