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Career

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $45,260 Median per year · $21.76/hr Most earn $34,650–$62,190

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
  • 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.
  • Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
  • 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.

Job outlook

United States
8% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 61,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Warehousing and storage10.2%
  • Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods4.5%
  • Merchant wholesalers, durable goods4.3%
  • Temporary help services3.2%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing2.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

This is a good entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and about 6 months to 1 year of related work experience, often in a stocking, mail, or warehouse role.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build math, reading, and basic computer skills, which you use every day to count items and log shipments accurately.

  2. Stocker and Order Filler

    6 months to 1 year

    Work in a warehouse or store to learn how inventory moves, how items are labeled, and how to keep records accurate.

  3. Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk

    Ongoing

    Verify incoming and outgoing shipments, record inventory, and arrange transportation for products.

Where it can lead

  1. Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk

    1-2 years in a clerk role of experience first

    You move from tracking goods to planning when materials and products should arrive and ship, which means more coordination with other teams and suppliers.

  2. Warehouse Supervisor

    A few years of hands-on warehouse or clerk experience of experience first

    You lead a team, schedule shifts, and oversee receiving and shipping operations, so you'll need solid organization and people skills along with the technical know-how.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and computer or business classesStrong math helps with counting, measuring, and tracking numbers, and computer skills help with the record-keeping this job needs.
  • Get a part-time job at a store or grocery stockroomYou'll learn how products arrive, get checked in, and get put on shelves, which is the everyday work of this career.
  • Join a business club such as FBLA or DECA if your school has oneThese clubs build teamwork, presentation, and business skills that employers look for in clerks.
  • Volunteer at a food bank or charity warehouseHelping sort, count, and log donations gives you real experience with receiving and inventory.
  • Practice spreadsheetsLearning to enter, sort, and check data in a spreadsheet prepares you for the record-keeping side of the job.

In college

  • Take courses in supply chain, logistics, or businessA class in logistics or operations shows how shipping, receiving, and inventory fit into a company's bigger picture.
  • Seek a summer internship or part-time job at a warehouse or distribution centerHands-on experience in receiving and shipping builds the 6 months to 1 year of experience most employers expect.
  • Work a campus job in a bookstore, dining hall stockroom, or campus mailroomCampus receiving and delivery jobs let you practice logging incoming items and tracking inventory.
  • Earn a safety or equipment certification if your school or town offers oneCertifications such as forklift or workplace safety training can make you a stronger job candidate.
  • Improve your Excel skillsStrong spreadsheet skills help you track inventory, spot errors, and create reports.

Tips for getting started

  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and basic inventory software. Many clerk jobs expect you to type and track data quickly and accurately.
  • Look for any job in a warehouse, store stockroom, or delivery business. Even a few months of experience helps you qualify for clerk roles.
  • Pay attention to detail and double-check your counts. Accuracy is one of the most valued skills in this job.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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