How to hire a dispatcher clerk

How to hire a dispatcher clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dispatcher clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dispatcher clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dispatcher clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a dispatcher clerk, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A dispatcher clerk's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dispatcher clerks from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents dispatcher clerk salaries for various positions.

   Type of Dispatcher Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Dispatcher Clerk		$11-18
   Yardmaster/Customer Service/Crew Dispatching	A yardmaster/customer service/crew dispatching officer functions differently depending on their industry or place of employment. Most of their responsibilities revolve around dealing with providing customer support and services, responding to inquiries and correspondence, addressing issues and concerns, providing corrective measures, and producing progress reports... Show more	$12-18
   Clerk	Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • DOT
   • Data Entry
   • Strong Customer Service
   • Inbound Calls
   • ETA
   • Payroll
   • AS400
   • Computer System
   • Service Calls
   • Non-Emergency Calls
   • WPM
   • Driver Logs
   • Customer Calls

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all accounting functions such as billing, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cost reports.
   • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
   • Use RF scanners for shipping and receiving.
   • Maintain accurate information in AS400 to ensure pay is accurate for date.
   • Update several internal database accordingly (trailer tracking, ship schedule, AS400).
   • Perform other duties: i.e., filing, copying, collating, record keeping.

   More dispatcher clerk duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dispatcher clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dispatcher clerk salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, dispatcher clerks' average salary in alabama is 41% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dispatcher clerks earn 38% less than senior-level dispatcher clerks.
   • Certifications. A dispatcher clerk with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dispatcher clerk's salary.

   Average dispatcher clerk salary

   $15.06hourly

   $31,319 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dispatcher clerk salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average dispatcher clerk salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$35,877	$17
   2	Minnesota	$34,739	$17
   3	Michigan	$33,417	$16
   4	California	$33,249	$16
   5	Iowa	$32,396	$16
   6	New York	$32,251	$16
   7	Illinois	$31,750	$15
   8	Missouri	$30,940	$15
   9	Pennsylvania	$29,993	$14
   10	Texas	$25,341	$12
   11	Florida	$23,676	$11
   12	South Carolina	$23,552	$11

   Average dispatcher clerk salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Southern California Edison	$38,679	$18.60	2
   2	Kinder Morgan	$37,388	$17.98	3
   3	Ryder System	$33,088	$15.91	93
   4	Albany International	$31,533	$15.16
   5	On Time Staffing	$31,247	$15.02
   6	KeHE	$31,203	$15.00	5
   7	Parker Global Strategies	$31,083	$14.94	48
   8	Edison International	$30,784	$14.80	2
   9	Workbox Staffing	$30,714	$14.77	4
   10	Staffmark	$30,659	$14.74
   11	Cream-O-Land	$30,446	$14.64
   12	Abrams International Incorporated	$30,418	$14.62	1
   13	Lindsay	$30,196	$14.52
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$29,815	$14.33	21
   15	Evans Distribution Systems	$29,751	$14.30
   16	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$27,527	$13.23
   17	AAA Cooper Transportation	$27,159	$13.06	52
   18	Dot Foods	$24,690	$11.87

4. Writing a dispatcher clerk job description

   A dispatcher clerk job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a dispatcher clerk job description:

   Dispatcher clerk job description example

   Lindsay Corporation is a global company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, focused on providing irrigation and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of a growing population. As one of the world's leading providers of irrigation and water management, its Zimmatic systems are operating in more than 90 countries. Lindsay Corporation's infrastructure division offers a wide range of products that aid in roadway maintenance and transportation safety. Since 1955, Lindsay Corporation has been at the forefront of research and development of products and services designed to meet the needs of a constantly evolving world.
   Job Brief
   
   We are looking for an experienced applicant to fill out Traffic Clerk position at the Lindsay Plant in Lindsay, NE. A Traffic Clerk should have some experience in answering phone call and working with drivers and dealers. You should also have experience in Microsoft programs, word and excel.
   
   Position Details
   
   * Monday - Friday
   * Hours: 8am - 5pm
   
   Benefits
   
   * PTO - 15 Days 1st Year
   * Weekly Pay
   * Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
   * 401K
   * 9 paid Holidays
   * Life Insurance
   * Disability Insurance
   * Wellness Program & Tuition Assistance Program
   * Health Savings Account / Flexible Spending Account
   * Employee Assistant Program
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Experience in computer data entry
   * Skills in Microsoft office - Word and Excel
   * Multi-tasking skills
   * Have high attention to details
   * Excellent communication skills using phone, email and fax - if needed.
   * Some Knowledge in Traffic Dispatch encouraged.
   
   Requirements
   
   * Must be able to adhere to Lindsay policies and procedures, while maintaining a safe work environment
   * Must be willing to stand, walk, bend, stretch, climb, (push/pull/lift up to 50 lbs.) and reach to perform job functions
   * Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, bright sun, noise, and nuisance dusts
   * Experience in Microsoft office, word processing, spreadsheet, and Business Central or ERP experience are a plus
   * Organization skills, attention to detail, able to multitask.
   * Willing to work flexible hours & overtime, with minimal supervision.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
   
   Lindsay Corporation does not accept unsolicited referrals or resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. We will not consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes from vendors including and without limitation, search firms, staffing agencies, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies. Lindsay Corporation will not pay a fee to a recruiter or agency that does not have a signed vendor agreement with Lindsay Corporation. Any resume or CV submitted to any employee of Lindsay Corporation without having a vendor agreement in place will be considered property of Lindsay Corporation. Lindsay Corporation will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find dispatcher clerks for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any dispatcher clerks they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level dispatcher clerks with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dispatcher clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit dispatcher clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit dispatcher clerks, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dispatcher clerk

   Once you've selected the best dispatcher clerk candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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