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The differences between distribution clerks and shop clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a distribution clerk, becoming a shop clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a shop clerk has an average salary of $34,468, which is higher than the $32,142 average annual salary of a distribution clerk.
The top three skills for a distribution clerk include data entry, shipping receiving and patients. The most important skills for a shop clerk are basic math, math, and top quality.
| Distribution Clerk | Shop Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $32,142 | $34,468 |
| Hourly rate | $15.45 | $16.57 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 86,473 | 106,275 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A distribution clerk is in charge of processing and managing products for shipments and deliveries, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They work at warehouse facilities responsible for monitoring shipments, participating in loading and unloading packages, and inspecting them to ensure their quality and quantity. They also process and pack items according to protocols, review documentation, keep records of transactions, and maintain work areas' cleanliness. Moreover, a distribution clerk may also perform clerical tasks such as managing calls and correspondence, arranging schedules, and preparing documents.
A shop clerk is primarily in charge of assisting clients in a retail store, ensuring efficient service for client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include greeting and identifying the clients' needs, answering inquiries, locating products, offering promotions, and recommending alternatives as needed. They must also maintain the cleanliness of the sales floor, clearing the obstructions and disposing of expired or defective products. Furthermore, a shop clerk must manage the product displays, devising strategies to make them more presentable to the customers.
Distribution clerks and shop clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Clerk | Shop Clerk | |
| Average salary | $32,142 | $34,468 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eureka, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | SF-Marin Food Bank | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a distribution clerk and a shop clerk in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Clerk | Shop Clerk | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between distribution clerks' and shop clerks' demographics:
| Distribution Clerk | Shop Clerk | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.5% Female, 49.5% | Male, 34.6% Female, 65.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |