truck driver

warehouse worker

warehouse associate

inside sales representative

equipment operator

Pacific Steel & Recycling

I have worked for Pacific Steel & Recycling for 4 years and absolutely love my job. As an Employee Owned company, every person is important and is listened to. The pay is competitive and management actually wants ideas to try and help improve any aspect to make employee's jobs more efficient and easier. There isn't just "1" boss, everyone is a partial owner, not just a number. The ESOP, Employee Stock Ownership Program, allows you to set yourself up for retirement without having to try to save money yourself. Most companies with a 401K program can't give you the financial dependency that Pacific Steel & Recycling can provide for retirement. I am a perfect example of what this company can offer. I was afraid of becoming a victim of my own success because I was doing great in the position that I was initially hired for, but this company provided me opportunities to prove I could be great in other areas as well by giving me a chance at promotions. The old saying of "We do it this way because it's how we have always done it" doesn't apply to Pacific Steel & Recycling. If there is an easier or more efficient way to do something they want employees to speak up and be active in discission's that directly affect their daily work. I have never worked for a company that has a culture that feels more like a family than just co-workers.  Everything that I do directly contributes to every other Employee-Owner, and vis versa. We don't just work towards bettering the lives of our families, but for every family of every Employee-Owner. I will continue to work here until I retire, and by doing so I will be able to enjoy retirement to the fullest. I will never be able to say enough good things about this company. 

The winters are cold- so cold that the decrepit machinery you are forced to use will not work for at least half of your shifts. Your benevolent overlords sitting in their heated offices won't cease pushing orders down your throat though! They will assuredly throw some talk in there behind your back for good measure. 

The summers are tolerable- though you will still be expected to do twice the work of a union steel worker at half the pay. Your reward MIGHT be a fat retirement IF a bunch of guys who don't know your name make the right calls. 

While nearly every business on the planet was offering some sort of aid to their workers during the coronavirus, Pacific's solution was to "graciously" allow us to use next year's vacation should you be forced out of work due to yourself or your child becoming sick.  

All in all if you like physical labor and don't mind being an entirely expendable cog in a semi-dilapidated machine, it really wasn't a bad job. The work and checks were eliable and most coworkers I had were fun to be around. This ESOP should appeal to the gamblers out there. Have the desire to be a millionaire? Well- MAYBE if you throw 30 years of your health and sanity down, you will be! The odds no longer seemed to be leaning my way. 

Yes the benefits are great, but the management is terrible! There is absolutely NO communication and you feel way “smaller” than your management. Not a team environment at all. In fact my coworkers caused so much gossip, rumors and problems because I had a coworker that was increasing their work load faster than the rest. It was extremely frustrating and none of the managers cared or did anything about it. The pay is very minimal and it’s always an excuse every year as to why you’re not going to get a decent pay raise. If they got rid of some “older” employees they would be able to keep the newer ones around and be able to improve their business instead of dragging it down. In your interview they’ll promise you things and get your hopes up for future investments and bonuses....don’t believe them.  With not only myself, but four other co-workers we all had things brought to our attention and then quickly taken away in a blink of an eye. Within a year of us working here, things changed drastically.  At first you feel like a team and almost a family, but then once you improve your work and start showing your strong work ethic then it’s almost as the worst has came out now and you’re going to be the number one subject for everyone to try and get you fired or run you out.  Not fun at all and extremely irritating. Pacific ran off multiple employees (before my time and a couple of my coworkers) and I would NEVER recommend anyone to work for or join Pacific Steel and Recycling. It’s a joke. 

This is a company where a job can truly become a career—but only if you’re willing to earn it. Pacific is built on a family of hardworking, motivated individuals who believe in rewarding effort, not titles. Here, your commitment, dedication, willingness to learn, and safe work habits matter more than any degree or résumé line. You don’t need to walk in with all the answers. What you need is the drive to show up, work hard, and keep pushing forward. If you do that, you’ll rise through the ranks faster than you ever thought possible.
What sets Pacific apart is that it gives the “little guy” a real voice. Your ideas matter. Your effort matters. Your attitude matters. When you put in the work, people notice—and they make sure you’re recognized for it. Promotions aren’t handed out based on favoritism or politics; they’re earned through sweat, consistency, and a willingness to take ownership. If you want a seat at the table, you can earn one.
I never imagined I’d be where I am today without a college education. But through hard work and a genuine desire to learn, I’ve been trusted, taught, and given opportunities to grow in ways I never expected. I’ve learned every side of the business because leaders here invest in people who invest in themselves. Pacific rewards effort, and I’m living proof that if you put in the work, this place will take you farther than you ever thought possible.


Working at Pacific Steel & Recycling has become more than just a job, it's a part of my every day, a part that is mostly enjoyable. I don't dread coming to work and I genuinely enjoy my job. 
I've put in 18 years with the company, working my way up through the ranks, which to me is important, because I want to work for a company that offers the opportunity to advance myself and my career. 
I'm an assistant manager on the new steel side of things at a combo branch, plus I spend a lot of my day doing sales, purchasing, as well as inventory management.
As far as culture goes, it's very family oriented, not just at the branch level, but at the corporate level as well. 
Pacific wants to see you succeed, not just as individuals, but also your family.
To be honest, the hardest part of my job is typically customer service. The majority of our customers are amazing, but we all have dealt with that one type of customer that we can't ever seem to make happy. 
The most enjoyable part of my job is the fact that I don't dread being here, which to me says a lot!

I am currently working as an inside sales rep. A typical day in my position consists of answering phones for inquiries/steel orders, emailing steel quotes, assisting our walk-in customers and communicating with the warehouse staff regarding orders. I come from a customer service, management and sales background but never have I sold steel. I have learned a lot in the last 6 weeks of employment here! My team has been wonderful and helped me so much with gaining the knowledge needed to use the sales system and learn about our materials. There is no training schedule for the role. So, it's a 'learn as you go' style of training. Lucky for me, I started during a slower season and have been able to ask a ton of questions. I am happy with the hourly wage, 401k, overtime opportunities and the ESOP program that is offered for retirement. I am looking forward to the opportunities in the future for growth within the company. They seem to be dedicated to promoting from within whenever possible instead of hiring externally. So hopefully this will be a company that I can stay with until retirement (another 26 years!) and still experience varied roles to keep things interesting.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Consistent 40 hours. The company will never let the crew home early if the machine breaks down. There's always something to do in order to get the hours.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The stress of loading trucks with product! Loading trucks is not hard at all, but the stress from management, possibly taking any monthly bonus. Help is spread thin and in most cases managers have to lend a helping hand, but to receive help after asking a hand full of times regarding a coworker or two, their help will never come. I've brought this to the managers attention. Management, Skyler, says, "the problem seems to come from you". Management says they care about your suggestions, but the actions dont match what skyler says about caring. There's definitely vindictive behavior!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Everyone is out to fend for themselves. No actual team work. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I take initiative every morning bc nobody else is motivated to load. I've asked management for a break once in a while bc im loading all the trucks and they told me to ask for help again. In other words there's never any change

What truly sets Pacific apart is the culture. It’s not just talked about, it’s lived every day. People care about each other, about doing the right thing, and about building something that lasts. There is a ton of pride when your doors have been open for over 118 years! 
Being an employee-owner is unlike any role I’ve ever had. It brings a sense of pride and responsibility I’ve never experienced before. Knowing that my work directly impacts my coworkers, and that we all share in the success! This creates a level of accountability and connection that’s rare and unlike anything I have previously experienced. 
The ESOP has been a game-changer for me. The ability to build real wealth through my work has given me more hope and confidence about retirement, and it reinforces the idea that when we work hard, everyone benefits.
Pacific is a place where ownership is real, culture matters, and people are encouraged to grow. The amount of training and support I receive is OUTSTANDING! 

Working at an ESOP company has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had. The employee‑ownership model creates a culture where people genuinely care about the quality of their work and the long‑term success of the business. Decisions feel more transparent, collaboration is stronger, and there’s a shared sense of purpose that you don’t always find in traditional corporate environments.
Beyond the day‑to‑day work, the ESOP benefit itself is a major advantage. Knowing that my contributions directly impact the value of my retirement account gives me a deeper sense of investment in what I do. It’s motivating to see the company grow and know that I’m growing with it.
Leadership encourages participation, communication, and continuous improvement. The environment feels stable, supportive, and focused on sustainable success rather than short‑term gains. If you’re looking for a place where your work matters and you can build real long‑term value, an ESOP company is an excellent choice.


A typical day at work, consists of having to work your assigned job and working other areas because of low staff or no staff.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work environment and culture is toxic, allot of employees and management with big egos and anger issues who will yell at you because they can’t handle there work load.

Management,
New Management cannot run a business. Employees walk all over management, you can be tardy or absent as much as you want and there will be no consequences because they’re  afraid to loose people.

The hardest part of the job,
Hardest part of the job is being told your being cross trained in every area and  you will receive a higher wage  but in reality you will still be paid the same and have to pick up slack and work 2-4 different areas.

The most enjoyable part of the job
Learning new things, and ESOP




Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 12 salaries reported	$25.17 per hour
Warehouse worker 18 salaries reported	$19.94 per hour
Warehouse associate 2 salaries reported	$22.50 per hour
Inside sales representative 4 salaries reported	$62,500 per year
Equipment operator 6 salaries reported	$23.08 per hour

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