Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

SOC code 43-5071 · O*NET-SOC 43-5071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration

Shipping and receiving clerks keep the records side of the warehouse accurate: checking deliveries against orders, logging stock, preparing outgoing shipments. The role bridges physical warehouse work and office systems, and inventory specialisation is where the pay rises.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$45,260

a year

Hourly

$21.76

per hour

10th$34,650Median$45,26090th$62,190

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$46,810

$22.50 per hour

Middle 50%

$38,200 – $51,570

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$34,650 – $62,190

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

816,870

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $34,650; $16.66/hr
25th percentile: $38,200; $18.37/hr
Median percentile: $45,260; $21.76/hr
75th percentile: $51,570; $24.79/hr
90th percentile: $62,190; $29.90/hr

What do shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 75% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)75%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12%
Bachelor's Degree11%
Some College Courses2%

Common questions

How much does a shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks earn?

The national median is $45,260 a year. The full range runs from $34,650 at the 10th percentile to $62,190 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.3/5
Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Active Listening3.1/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Administrative3.4/5
Computers and Electronics3.1/5
Production and Processing3.1/5
Mathematics3.0/5
English Language3.0/5
Administration and Management3.0/5
Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
Education and Training2.9/5

Transferable strengths: Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.