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The differences between distribution associates and receiving clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a distribution associate and a receiving clerk. Additionally, a distribution associate has an average salary of $33,453, which is higher than the $31,482 average annual salary of a receiving clerk.
The top three skills for a distribution associate include pallets, basic math and customer orders. The most important skills for a receiving clerk are customer service, purchase orders, and data entry.
| Distribution Associate | Receiving Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $33,453 | $31,482 |
| Hourly rate | $16.08 | $15.14 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 175,791 | 237,705 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A distribution associate typically works at warehouses or distribution establishments where they are in charge of processing orders for shipments or deliveries in a timely and efficient manner. Their responsibilities often include monitoring the inventory of goods, identifying and locating items, liaising with clients, receiving orders, lifting heavy packages, and maintaining accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a distribution associate, it is essential to be proactive as warehouse conditions can be unpredictable due to the influx of goods.
Usually assigned at a warehouse or retail store, a receiving clerk's primary role is to accept product deliveries upon arrival and sign necessary documents, prioritizing the accuracy of all invoices. It is also the task of a receiving clerk to unload heavy packages, verify its contents, place it in the appropriate storage place, and keep records for inventory. They must process returns should it be necessary. There are also instances where a receiving clerk may have to engage with retailers and vendors, ensuring that all shipments arrive in time.
Distribution associates and receiving clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Associate | Receiving Clerk | |
| Average salary | $33,453 | $31,482 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $40,000 | Between $25,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a distribution associate and a receiving clerk in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Associate | Receiving Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between distribution associates' and receiving clerks' demographics:
| Distribution Associate | Receiving Clerk | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |