Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

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.

Also called: Materials Control Associate, Order Fulfillment Specialist, Receiver, Receiving Associate, Receiving Clerk, Receiving Coordinator, Shipper, Shipping Clerk, Shipping Coordinator, Traffic Assistant, Backroom Associate, Booking Clerk, Break Out Man, Break Out Worker, Car Checker, Cloth Booker, Container Coordinator, Disposition Clerk, Distributing Clerk, Distribution Associate, Distribution Center Associate, Distribution Clerk, Distribution Team Member, Express Clerk, Fish Receiver, Forwarder, Freight Breaker, Freight Clerk, Freight Handler, Freight Separator, Fruit Express Agent, Fruit Receiver, Fuel Oil Clerk, Fulfillment Associate, Fulfillment Mail Clerk, Garment Sorter, Grain Elevator Clerk, Gun Repair Clerk, Incoming Freight Clerk, Industrial Order Clerk, Inventory Associate, Inventory Clerk, Inventory Control Clerk, Inventory Control Coordinator, Inventory Control Specialist, Inventory Coordinator, Inventory Specialist, Inventory Taker, Materials Processor, Merchandiser, Milk Receiver, Order Clerk, Order Filler, Order Writer, Package Sorter, Paper Control Clerk, Piggyback Clerk, Postal Stationery Envelope Sales and Services Associate (PSE Sales and Services Associate), Reconsignment Clerk, Retail Receiving Associate, Return to Factory Clerk, Route Delivery Clerk, Routing Clerk, Sheet Writer, Ship Runner, Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Shipping and Receiving Warehouse Associate, Shipping Checker, Shipping Order Clerk, Shipping Packer, Stock Receiver, Store Receiver, Store Receiving Clerk, Switching Clerk, Tool Crib Attendant, Traffic Coordinator, Traffic Recorder, Traffic Worker, Truckload Checker, Vault Person, Vault Worker, Warehouse Receiver

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.

Skills, machines and equipment

Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Time Management
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Persuasion
Writing

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (74.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

38,200–51,570 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 43-5071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (74.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks