Warehouse Associate
Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.
- $40,240
- Days (on the job)
Transportation & Logistics career
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Also called: Shipping Clerk · Receiving Clerk · Inventory Clerk · Warehouse Clerk
What shipping and receiving clerks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a shipping and receiving clerk do?
Shipping, receiving and inventory clerks verify incoming and outgoing shipments, keep records, track inventory and prepare paperwork and labels so goods arrive where they should. The median pay is $45,260 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 weeks, and employment is projected to grow -7.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$45,260$21.76/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-7.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year61,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–4 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs827,700Employment, 2025
What shipping and receiving clerks do
Shipping and receiving clerks keep inventory accurate. They check deliveries against purchase orders and packing lists, note damages and shortages, enter receipts into inventory systems, prepare outgoing orders, print labels and bills of lading, schedule carriers and perform cycle counts.
Most clerks have a high school diploma and learn on the job. Computer skills, accuracy and organization matter more than prior experience. Automation is changing the role, so clerks who learn warehouse management systems and data skills can move into inventory control and logistics coordination.
Typical duties
- Check incoming shipments against paperwork
- Record receipts in inventory systems
- Report damages, shortages and overages
- Prepare and label outgoing shipments
- Create bills of lading and shipping documents
- Schedule carrier pickups
- Perform cycle counts and resolve discrepancies
Work environment and schedule
Clerks work in warehouses, distribution centers, plants and stores, at docks and desks. The work involves standing, lifting and sometimes operating forklifts.
Schedule: Most work full-time days; large facilities may have evening or weekend shifts.
A day in the life
- Review the receiving schedule and open purchase orders.
- Unload and check a delivery against the packing list.
- Note two damaged cartons on the delivery receipt and photograph them.
- Receive items into the warehouse management system.
See a full day in the life of a shipping and receiving clerk →
Shipping and Receiving Clerk salary
Half of shipping and receiving clerks earned more than $45,260 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,650 for the lowest 10% to $62,190 for the top 10%.
Full shipping and receiving clerk pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a shipping and receiving clerk
- Finish high school or a GED
- Get hired in a warehouse or store
- Learn the systems
- Earn credentials
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Clerks learn on the job in days or weeks. Forklift training and supply chain courses help with advancement.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a shipping and receiving clerk →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Inventory software
- Receiving procedures
- Shipping documentation
- Cycle counting
- Barcode scanning
People skills
- Accuracy
- Organization
- Communication
- Reliability
All shipping and receiving clerk skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy entry
- Mix of computer and physical work
- Steady demand
- Path into logistics roles
Cons
- Repetitive tasks
- Pressure around shipping deadlines
- Lifting and standing
- Automation reducing some roles
Certifications and licenses
- Forklift operator training: Employer training and evaluation required by OSHA.
- MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA): Entry-level logistics credential.
- MSSC Certified Logistics Technician (CLT): A more advanced logistics credential.
- Excel training: Useful for inventory and shipping reports.
Career path
- Shipping or Receiving Clerk: Process shipments.
- Inventory Specialist: Manage accuracy and counts.
- Warehouse Lead: Lead teams and docks.
- Logistics Coordinator: Plan shipments and carriers.
Learn the job before day one
Our Shipping and Receiving Clerk training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as receive a shipment and prepare an LTL shipment, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Forklift Operator
Move, stack and load materials safely with forklifts and other powered trucks.
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Logistics Coordinator
Plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.
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Stock Associate
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Compare: Shipping Clerk vs. Warehouse Associate · Shipping Clerk vs. Forklift Operator · Shipping Clerk vs. Logistics Coordinator · Shipping Clerk vs. Stock Associate
Shipping and Receiving Clerk FAQ
Do shipping clerks need experience?
Usually not; most train on the job.
Is this a good path into logistics?
Yes. Many become inventory specialists or coordinators.
Will automation replace the job?
Some tasks are automated, but clerks with system skills remain in demand.
How much does a shipping and receiving clerk make?
The median annual wage for shipping and receiving clerks was $45,260 ($21.76 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,650 and the highest 10% earned more than $62,190.
How long does it take to become a shipping and receiving clerk?
Most people need about 1–4 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical. Clerks learn on the job in days or weeks. Forklift training and supply chain courses help with advancement.
Do you need a degree to be a shipping and receiving clerk?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More shipping and receiving clerk questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-5071 (Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.