Career comparison
Logistics Coordinator vs. Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Logistics coordinators earn more at the median ($82,320 vs. $45,260), while shipping and receiving clerks usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Logistics coordinators plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget. Shipping and receiving clerks track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Logistics Coordinator | Shipping and Receiving Clerk | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,320 ($39.58/hr) | $45,260 ($21.76/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,890 – $133,160 | $34,650 – $62,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +17.6% (much faster than average) | -7.6% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 26,600 | 61,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 years | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | CLTD (ASCM) | Forklift operator training |
| Work setting | Logistics coordinators work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, distributors, 3PLs, freight brokers and government agencies, sometimes visiting warehouses. | Clerks work in warehouses, distribution centers, plants and stores, at docks and desks. |
What each job does
Logistics Coordinator
- Schedule and book shipments with carriers
- Track shipments and update customers and teams
- Coordinate with warehouses, suppliers and customers
- Prepare and review shipping documents
- Resolve delays, damages and billing discrepancies
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information and in-demand. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose logistics coordinator if…
- I like solving problems and juggling details
- I stay calm when plans fall apart
- I’m comfortable on the phone and email all day
Choose shipping and receiving clerk if…
- I’m accurate with numbers and details
- I like organizing things
- I don’t mind physical work
Still torn? Take the Logistics Coordinator fit quiz and the Shipping and Receiving Clerk fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, logistics coordinator or shipping and receiving clerk?
Logistics Coordinators earn more at the median: $82,320 versus $45,260 for shipping and receiving clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Shipping and Receiving Clerks typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than logistics coordinators (1–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects logistics coordinators to grow +17.6% from 2025–35, compared with -7.6% for shipping and receiving clerks.