Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.
Median pay: $45,260/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -7.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 69,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks?
The median pay for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks is $45,260 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks?
Employment for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks is projected to change -7.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks?
About 69,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.