Shipping & Receiving Clerk

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Shipping and receiving clerks typically earn $17–$26 per hour, or $35,000–$54,000 annually. Experienced shipping/receiving leads earn $22–$32 per hour. Logistics coordinators and warehouse administrators who advance from clerk roles earn $50,000–$75,000. Large distribution center shipping/receiving positions at major e-commerce companies include comprehensive benefits and signing bonuses. Night shift and early morning differentials enhance compensation at high-volume 24/7 distribution operations.

📈 Job Outlook

Shipping and receiving clerks manage the inbound and outbound movement of goods — verifying receipts against purchase orders, managing carrier pickups, maintaining inventory accuracy, and documenting logistics transactions. Employment is stable across manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, and retail sectors. The growth of e-commerce has expanded the shipping and receiving function at fulfillment and distribution centers. Clerks who develop skills in ERP systems, freight management, and inventory control advance to logistics coordinator, purchasing, and warehouse management roles. WMS (Warehouse Management System) and TMS (Transportation Management System) proficiency are valued skills for advancement.

🎓 Training & Education

Shipping and receiving clerk positions are accessible with a high school diploma and employer-provided on-the-job training. Forklift operator certification is frequently required for positions that involve moving pallets. ERP system training — SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics — is provided by employers on their specific platform. APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) certification supports advancement to logistics coordinator and supply chain analyst roles. Many clerks gain experience with UPS, FedEx, and LTL carrier systems, as well as import/export documentation for international shipments.

☀️ Day in the Life

A Shipping and Receiving Clerk begins the morning shift by checking the receiving dock — two inbound trucks are scheduled between 8 and 10 AM. When the first truck arrives, they verify the driver's delivery appointment, check the BOL (bill of lading) against the purchase orders in the ERP system, and direct the forklift operator to unload the pallets. As each pallet comes off the truck, they count cartons against the packing list, scan barcodes to receive items into the inventory system, and flag two items that are short-shipped. They document the shortage on the carrier's delivery receipt before signing. After morning receiving, they shift to the outbound shipping area — pulling the day's shipping queue, printing UPS and FedEx labels, confirming box weights and dimensions match the carrier service selection, and preparing NMFC freight class documentation for a LTL pallet shipment. End of day involves closing all receiving transactions and reconciling the day's inventory movements in the warehouse management system.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

🗺️ Shipping & Receiving Clerk by State

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