Walmart is the world‘s largest retailer, with over 11,500 stores across 27 countries and ecommerce sites serving even more markets. In recent years, Walmart‘s online business has exploded, with 79% YOY ecommerce sales growth in 2020 alone. A key driver of this digital dominance? Walmart‘s army of order fillers working diligently behind the scenes to pick, pack and ship millions of online orders each week.
If you‘re considering a job as a Walmart order filler, you probably have questions about what exactly the role entails, how to get hired, and what it‘s really like to work in Walmart ecommerce fulfillment. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about being an order filler at Walmart, with exclusive insights from Walmart experts and current associates. Whether you‘re looking to start a new career in retail or just curious about one of Walmart‘s fastest-growing job categories, read on for the inside scoop.
Order Filler Duties: A Day in the Life
So what does a typical shift look like for a Walmart order filler? While exact duties can vary based on location and business needs, most order fillers spend their days picking and packing online orders in a Walmart store or dedicated fulfillment center. The goal is to quickly and accurately fill orders so customers get the right items on time.
A Walmart order filler‘s core job responsibilities include:
- Viewing orders on a handheld scanner or mobile device to determine which items to pick
- Navigating the salesfloor, backroom, coolers/freezers and other areas to locate products
- Using "pick paths" to efficiently collect multiple orders in a single trip (known as batch picking)
- Scanning item and bin barcodes to verify inventory quantities and ensure order accuracy
- Handling products carefully to avoid damage and maintain quality
- Packing orders into bags, boxes or totes based on product type, quantity and fragility level
- Labeling packages with shipping information and applying dunnage/packing materials as needed
- Staging filled orders for pickup by customers or 3rd party delivery services like DoorDash
- Loading orders onto pallets, carts or conveyor belts for truck loading and delivery
- Documenting order exceptions, inventory issues and other problems in Walmart systems
- Processing customer returns and damaged/defective items according to protocol
- Assisting with daily operational tasks like staging new inventory, zoning the backroom, cleaning, etc.
The typical Walmart order filler shift is fast-paced and labor-intensive. Associates are on their feet for 7-8 hours, walking several miles and handling hundreds of products per day. They also need to be comfortable with technology, as most order picking is now directed by handheld devices and mobile apps.
"You definitely get your steps in as an order filler, usually anywhere from 10,000-20,000 per shift in my experience," says Jayden S., an order filler at a Walmart Supercenter in Orlando. "It keeps you moving and engaged. I actually prefer it to stocking shelves or other retail jobs where you stay in a smaller area."
Qualifications: What It Takes to Be a Walmart Order Filler
Walmart order filler jobs are entry-level roles, meaning you don‘t need extensive experience or specialized skills to get hired. However, there are certain baseline requirements and preferred qualifications that will help you stand out as a candidate.
Required Walmart order filler qualifications:
- 18+ years of age
- High school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. frequently
- Comfortable standing/walking for long periods
- Available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
- Willing to submit to a background check and drug screen upon conditional offer
Preferred Walmart order filler qualifications:
- 6+ months experience in a retail, grocery or warehouse environment
- Familiarity with material handling equipment like pallet jacks, carts and dollies
- Experience picking orders with RF scanners, pick-to-light systems, or voice picking
- Knowledge of inventory management and fulfillment KPIs
- Strong spatial awareness and ability to navigate in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient at basic math and reading comprehension to verify order quantities
- Exceptional customer service skills for interacting with shoppers and resolving issues
- Tech savvy to quickly learn Walmart‘s proprietary picking software and systems
"We look for associates who have a great attitude, love helping people, and thrive in an active work setting," says Maria G., a Walmart fulfillment center hiring manager. "Retail experience is a plus, but we‘re really seeking team players who will go the extra mile for our customers and put safety first. Those soft skills are key."
Order Filler Training: Learning the Ropes
If you‘re hired as a Walmart order filler, you won‘t be thrown to the wolves on your first day. Walmart provides both classroom and on-the-job training to set new associates up for success. Here‘s what you can expect:
- Orientation (1-2 days): Overview of Walmart‘s history, culture, policies and benefits. Complete new hire paperwork.
- Classroom Training (2-3 days): Learn Walmart‘s picking/packing processes, safety protocols, inventory systems and mobile apps. Practice with dummy orders.
- Salesfloor Training (4-5 days): Shadow an experienced order filler and get hands-on practice picking real orders. Learn store layout and where to find high-velocity items.
- Backroom Training (1-2 days): Get certified on equipment like FORKLIFTS, pallet jacks and power equipment. Learn staging, labeling and truck loading procedures.
After your initial training period (1-2 weeks), you‘ll continue to receive ongoing coaching from supervisors and senior order fillers. Walmart emphasizes continuous learning and development, so you‘ll have opportunities to cross-train in different functions and build your knowledge over time.
Order Filler Schedule & Shift Types
Walmart order fillers play a crucial role in ensuring customers get their online orders as quickly as possible. As such, Walmart offers a variety of order filler shifts to provide maximum coverage across peak shopping times.
Common Walmart order filler shifts:
- 5 AM-2 PM (First Shift): Focus on picking orders placed overnight for same-day delivery and pickup
- 2 PM-11 PM (Second Shift): Handle evening order surges and next-day deliveries
- 9 PM-6 AM (Third Shift): Picking for customer pickups and prepping orders for morning delivery dispatch
- 6 AM-3 PM (Weekend Shift): Support higher order volumes on Saturdays and Sundays
- 1 PM-10 PM (Peak Shift): Assist during peak events like Black Friday, Prime Day and holiday season
Most order fillers work 8 hour shifts, though 4-6 hour part-time shifts are also available in some locations. Full-time roles typically come with a consistent weekly schedule, while part-timers may have fluctuating schedules based on demand.
"I appreciate having a set schedule that fits my lifestyle," says Jayden S. "I work Sat-Wed 5 AM-2 PM and have Thursdays and Fridays off every week to spend time with my son. It‘s been great for work-life balance compared to my old retail job."
| Shift Timing | Average Daily Steps | Average Items Picked | Peak Picking Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 AM-2 PM | 12,500 | 800-1000 | 6-10 AM |
| 2 PM-11 PM | 15,000 | 600-800 | 4-9 PM |
| 9 PM-6 AM | 10,000 | 400-600 | 12-8 AM |
Source: Walmart Fulfillment Center Data
Order Filler Salary & Benefits
As the nation‘s largest private employer, Walmart strives to provide competitive wages and benefits to attract top talent. Walmart order filler pay varies based on location and experience, but the national average is $16.71/hour according to Payscale.
Walmart Order Filler Pay Range:
- Entry Level: $11 – $17/hour
- Mid Level: $15 – $20/hour
- Top Earners: $18 – $25/hour
By comparison, here are average hourly wages for similar roles:
- Amazon Fulfillment Associate: $17.50/hour
- Target Fulfillment Expert: $16.25/hour
- Kroger Ecommerce Clerk: $14.40/hour
Source: Payscale & Glassdoor Salary Data
In addition to competitive pay, Walmart offers a generous benefits package for full-time associates (working 34+ hours/week) after 90 days of employment:
- Medical Insurance: Up to 3 plans available, including no-cost preventative care and low deductibles
- Dental & Vision Insurance: Low-cost coverage with broad provider network
- 401(k) With 6% Company Match: Contribute up to 50% of your pay, get free money from Walmart
- Associate Stock Purchase Plan: Buy Walmart stock at a 15% discount with no fees
- Paid Time Off: Earn up to 48 hours PTO in your first year, 88 hours after 2 years
- Maternity & Parental Leave: 10 weeks of protected leave with 6-8 weeks at 100% pay
- $1/Day College Degrees: Earn a degree in business, tech or supply chain for just $365/year
"The benefits are a big reason I‘ve stayed with Walmart for 3+ years now," says Maria G. "Where else can you get low cost health insurance and $1/day college in a warehouse role? It‘s a great deal if you take advantage of it."
Walmart Ecommerce Fulfillment: How It Works
To truly understand the importance of order fillers, it‘s helpful to zoom out and look at Walmart‘s overall ecommerce fulfillment process:
- Customer places an order on Walmart.com or the Walmart app
- Order flows into Walmart‘s Order Management System (OMS)
- OMS determines optimal fulfillment method based on customer‘s delivery speed, location and items purchased
- Order is sent to a Walmart store or fulfillment center for picking
- Order filler logs into mobile picking app and is assigned batches of orders
- Order filler scans bins and items to pick products, placing them into totes
- Picked orders are packed into bags or boxes with labels and dunnage
- Packages are stored in staging areas for customer pickup or delivery
- Customers receive order status updates via email/text and can track packages in real-time
- Orders are delivered to customer‘s home or made available for in-store/curbside pickup
Walmart employs several picking methods to maximize efficiency, such as single order, multi-order, batch and zone picking. Most Walmart stores use an inventory system called Top Stock, which places high-velocity items on easy-to-reach shelves for order fillers.
Walmart also leverages automation to streamline the order filling process. For example, Bossa Nova robots scan shelves to identify out-of-stock items and help pickers locate hard-to-find products. Walmart is also testing Alert Innovation‘s Alphabot system, an automated storage and retrieval platform that brings items to pickers.
"The technology has come a long way since I started as an order filler five years ago," says Jayden S. "We‘re way more efficient now with the new scanners, robots and software. It‘s pretty cool to see the innovation happening in real-time."
Keys to Success as a Walmart Order Filler
Working as a Walmart order filler offers plenty of rewards for the right person. You get to be active, work with a team, and play an integral role in keeping the world‘s largest retailer running smoothly. Top order fillers also have opportunities to advance into supervisory, training and management roles over time.
However, order filling isn‘t for everyone. The job is physically demanding, with long hours on your feet and frequent bending, lifting and carrying. You also need to be comfortable working under pressure, as there are strict productivity goals and quality metrics to meet.
To excel in this role, current and former Walmart order fillers recommend:
- Paying Attention to Detail: Double check item quantities and bin locations to minimize errors
- Communicating Clearly: Ask questions, report issues and coordinate with teammates to stay in sync
- Staying Organized: Keep your picking area clean and staged orders neatly arranged for easy loading
- Managing Your Time: Plan your pick path to avoid backtracking and wasted steps
- Practicing Safety: Use proper ergonomics and material handling to avoid injuries
- Showing Initiative: Look for ways to improve processes and support your team however possible
"My best advice is to treat every order like it‘s for a family member," says Maria G. "Be attentive, efficient and take pride in your work. Customers are relying on you to get it right. Don‘t be afraid to raise your hand if you need help."
"Working as an order filler at Walmart taught me so much about ecommerce, leadership and customer service. Yes, it‘s hard work, but it‘s also an incredible opportunity to build your skillset and set yourself up for long-term career growth. I wouldn‘t trade the experience for anything."
– Chris K., Former Walmart Order Filler, Current Warehouse Operations Manager
The Bottom Line
Walmart order fillers are the unsung heroes of the company‘s booming ecommerce business. These dedicated associates work around the clock to pick, pack and ship orders to millions of customers each week. While the job is challenging, it also offers competitive pay, great benefits and opportunities for advancement within the nation‘s largest private employer.
If you‘re a hard worker with a positive attitude and desire to grow your career in retail and ecommerce, a Walmart order filler role may be a perfect fit. Just be prepared for the physical demands and fast pace that come with the territory.
Walmart is consistently hiring order fillers at stores and fulfillment centers across the country. To see current openings and apply online, visit the Walmart Careers Website. With a little initiative and a can-do spirit, you could be at the forefront of the retail revolution as a Walmart order filler.
