What Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials"; "Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes"; "Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials"; "Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications"; "Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 827,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 765,000 in 2035, a decrease of 62,700 jobs (-7.6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 61,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,260, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks earn the most
Across the 24 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $40,498 in Utah to $52,039 in Washington, a gap of $11,541 (1.28 times). 16 of those 24 states average above the BLS national median of $45,260 and 8 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 86,230, which is 11.1% of the 774,840 counted across them. Texas follows with 84,340.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($52,039), New Hampshire ($49,361) and Massachusetts ($48,797) lead the ranking, while Utah ($40,498) and Florida ($40,959) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks: pay against the cost of living
We compare 29 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $19,204. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $3,309 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 27 of the 29 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 32.4% and 87.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-5000) include Postal Service Mail Carriers, Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks, Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators and Cargo and Freight Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
How much do Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,260. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $40,498 to $52,039.
Which state pays Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $52,039. New Hampshire is next at $49,361.
Is Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 7.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 61,300 openings a year.
What education do Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $19,204 on a median wage of $47,620.