Sector: Logistics, Warehouse & Transport ·
Typical gross pay: CAD 19–28/hour ·
Typical hubs: Ontario (Toronto/GTA), British Columbia (Vancouver), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s)
Dock work is the “last meter” of freight movement inside terminals and distribution centres: unloading, staging, scanning, and preparing shipments so outbound trailers leave on time.
CV REQUIRED: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html.
Dock Worker wages depend on province, shift pattern, experience, and whether the workplace is unionized.
For most terminal / cross-dock environments, a realistic gross range is CAD 19–28/hour.
Deductions typically include statutory items (tax, CPP/EI where applicable) plus any benefit contributions based on employer policy.
Do not plan your budget on overtime; treat it as variable.
Hiring story: why employers hire Dock Workers
Freight terminals live on cut-off times: inbound trailers arrive in waves, and outbound routes must leave on schedule.
Dock Workers are hired to keep freight moving—unload, sort by lane, reweigh/re-label when needed, and stage shipments so the next team can load safely and fast.
Peak periods: retail spikes, seasonal volume, and “end-of-week” outbound pushes
Quality pressure: correct freight on the correct lane, minimal damage, accurate scanning
Safety pressure: moving equipment, tight dock doors, fast pace—procedures matter
What you’ll do on the dock
Core tasks
Load and unload freight from trailers using safe manual handling and equipment assistance
Stage freight by route/lane, apply labels, and keep the dock organized for throughput
Scan items using handheld/RF devices and report exceptions (shortages/overages/damage)
Wrap, secure, and protect freight to reduce damage during transport
Support drivers and teammates to locate, verify, and move shipments during peak times
Visual checks for crushed cartons, punctures, leaks, and broken pallets
Basic counting/verification and clear notes when freight arrives without paperwork
Simple “stop and escalate” discipline when a load is unsafe, unstable, or incorrectly secured
Tools & equipment you may use
Manual pallet jacks and (in many workplaces) electric pallet jacks
Forklift / reach truck (only if certified and assigned)
Dock plates/levelers, dock locks, straps, shrink wrap, corner boards
Handheld scanners, basic dimensioning or scale workflows (site-dependent)
Exact duties depend on employer, freight type (parcel/LTL/palletized), and whether the site is a distribution centre or a terminal cross-dock.
Requirements and certifications
Must-have
Basic English for safety communication (A2+ recommended)
Reliability, punctuality, and readiness for shift work
Ability to follow safety procedures and work in a fast-paced environment
Eligibility to work in Canada as required by law and employer policy
Nice-to-have (can increase your options)
Forklift/reach truck certification and recent operating hours
WHMIS awareness (workplace hazardous materials training) and basic site safety habits
Cross-dock / terminal experience (LTL freight, lane building, outbound cut-offs)
RF scanning experience and comfort with exception reporting
First aid, basic incident reporting discipline
If you list certificates on your CV, include: issuing body, year, and where you used it (site type + equipment).
Work conditions in Canada
Shifts: day/evening/night; weekend availability improves selection in many operations
Overtime: may be available during peak volume; premiums depend on province and workplace policy
Physical demands: walking, repetitive handling, pushing/pulling, standing for long periods
Environment: noise, temperature changes near dock doors, weather exposure in some terminals
PPE: high-visibility vest, safety footwear, gloves; employer rules vary on what is provided vs. required
Some employers offer travel/accommodation support for remote projects; many city terminals do not. Treat these items as project-dependent unless confirmed in writing.
Documents for legal work in Canada (high-level)
Employers can only place candidates who are legally allowed to work in Canada. The exact route depends on your status and the role.
Work authorization: employer-specific work permit or open work permit (depending on your situation)
Identity documents: passport + any immigration documents relevant to your status
Operational onboarding: ability to obtain payroll setup details (often includes a Social Insurance Number concept, plus banking details)
Checks (site-dependent): background checks, site orientation, drug/alcohol policy acknowledgement
This page provides general guidance only. Final eligibility and documentation requirements are set by Canadian law and employer compliance processes.
Candidate portrait
You are a good fit if you…
work safely even when the dock gets busy (speed without shortcuts)
can keep accuracy under pressure (correct lane, correct scan, correct label)
are comfortable with shift schedules and changing daily volume
communicate clearly when something is damaged, missing, or unsafe
take pride in housekeeping and organized staging
can handle repetitive physical tasks responsibly
are willing to learn site workflows and follow supervisor direction
This role is not for you if you…
ignore PPE or safety procedures
often arrive late or miss shifts without notice
avoid physical work or cannot stand/walk for long periods
dislike structured rules (scanning, lane discipline, exception reporting)
Province, shift pattern, experience, union/non-union status, and overtime/shift premiums defined by employer policy.
Do I need a forklift licence?
Not always. Many dock roles start with manual handling and pallet jack work. Forklift/reach truck operation usually requires certification and site assignment.
What documents are typically needed for legal work?
You must have valid work authorization for Canada (employer-specific or open work permit, depending on your status) plus identity documents required for onboarding.