Career Profile: Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 814,300 people employed as shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks in the United States. The median annual salary is $36,890. Entry level employees earn approximately $27,830 per year and senior employees earn approximately $50,520 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
• Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
• Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
• Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
• Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
• Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
• Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
• Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
• Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
• Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
• Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.

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