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.
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
SOC: 43-5071 O*NET: 43-5071.00
Median Salary
$43,190
per year
Job Growth
📉 -7.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
69.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,900
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,040
25th percentile
Median
$43,190
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,390
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,300
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,900
25th
$37,040
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$43,190
Mean: $44,890
75th
$49,390
90th
$60,300
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,400 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,040 and $49,390
- •Salary spread is 28.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 857,630 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:862,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing27%
Retail Trade21.6%
Wholesale Trade15.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-7.7%
Annual Openings:69,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)862,200
Current
2034 (Projected)795,800
-7.7%
-66,300
Employment Change
-7.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
108,950 jobs$44,1201.08x
Texas
90,680 jobs$38,7401.18x
Florida
48,420 jobs$38,8300.89x
Ohio
35,620 jobs$42,7701.16x
New York
32,070 jobs$45,8500.60x
Pennsylvania
31,970 jobs$44,9900.96x
Illinois
30,790 jobs$45,4000.91x
Georgia
29,800 jobs$40,6701.10x
Michigan
28,500 jobs$43,8701.17x
New Jersey
27,850 jobs$44,4801.18x
Indiana
27,580 jobs$45,8701.56x
North Carolina
24,320 jobs$39,5300.89x
Virginia
19,550 jobs$42,0800.86x
Washington
19,450 jobs$49,2900.99x
Wisconsin
19,350 jobs$45,9301.19x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
88%
#3
Active Listening
76%
#4
Monitoring
64%
#5
Critical Thinking
52%
#6
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate3.8
76%
Monitoring
intermediate3.2
64%
Critical Thinking
basic2.6
52%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance88%
abilities
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance52%
abilities
2.6/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Actors86%
5 shared skills
Light Truck Drivers86%
5 shared skills
Craft Artists83%
5 shared skills
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service83%
5 shared skills
Billing and Posting Clerks75%
5 shared skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Training & Development (1)General Responsibilities (5)
1
Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.35
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.22
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.09
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.91
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.86
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.68
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Integrity
3.9
Independence
3.9
Concern for Others
3.7
Initiative
3.6
Self-Control
3.6
Analytical Thinking
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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