Hiring guide · Transportation & Logistics
How to Hire a Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring shipping and receiving clerks, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $45,260), recruit through CDL schools and trucking academies, verify Forklift operator training where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for shipping and receiving clerks
There are about 827,700 shipping and receiving clerks employed in the U.S., with roughly 61,300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -7.6% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $34,650–$38,200 | $16.66–$18.37 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $62,190 | $29.90 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Inventory software
- Accuracy
Nice-to-haves
- Forklift operator training
- MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)
- MSSC Certified Logistics Technician (CLT)
- Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS)
Where to find shipping and receiving clerks
- CDL schools and trucking academies
- Local workforce centers and staffing partners
- Military transition programs
- Referral bonuses for current drivers and associates
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Shipping Clerk, Receiving Clerk, Inventory Clerk, Warehouse Clerk
Screening checklist
- CDL, endorsements and DOT medical card for drivers
- Motor vehicle record and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query for CDL drivers
- Forklift operator training and evaluation, which OSHA requires employers to provide
- Pre-employment drug screening according to policy and law
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What inventory systems have you used?”
What a strong answer includes: Name software.
2. “How do you handle a damaged shipment?”
What a strong answer includes: Document and report.
3. “How do you stay accurate?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention double-checks.
4. “Are you forklift trained?”
What a strong answer includes: Share or offer to get trained.
5. “How do you handle shipping deadlines?”
What a strong answer includes: Show prioritizing.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Receive a Shipment (see the steps)
- Prepare an LTL Shipment (see the steps)
- Perform a Cycle Count (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Purchase order (PO), Packing list, Bill of lading (BOL)
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Shipping and Receiving Clerk 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Shipping and Receiving Clerk training. Show them the path forward: Shipping or Receiving Clerk → Inventory Specialist → Warehouse Lead → Logistics Coordinator.
Hiring shipping and receiving clerks: FAQ
How much should I pay a shipping and receiving clerk?
The U.S. median wage for shipping and receiving clerks is $45,260 per year ($21.76/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($38,200), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($51,570). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a shipping and receiving clerk have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Forklift operator training and MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) where relevant, plus skills such as inventory software, receiving procedures, and shipping documentation.
How long does it take to train a new shipping and receiving clerk?
Becoming qualified typically takes 1–4 weeks. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”