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What is a receiver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Receivers usually are hired in warehouses and retail companies to maintain the merchandise flow. They receive shipments, inspect them for damages, and sort them for distribution in the store or store them in the warehouse. They keep a record of received and sent invoices to ensure orders are accurate. Furthermore, they fill orders by picking items from the warehouse and preparing them for delivery. Additionally, they monitor the movement of merchandise in the store and warehouse and place orders with suppliers when inventory is low. Besides that, they contact suppliers to resolve any shipping issues.

To get a job as a receiver, you need a high school diploma or its equivalent. You may be provided with on-the-job training. You need leadership, computer, multitasking, problem-solving, communication, and organization skills. Also, you must be proficient in using shipment tracking software. Receivers earn an average gross salary of $30,280 annually. This varies between $25,000 and $36,000.

ScoreReceiverUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,401

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.3

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 7.28%

Black or African American 10.61%

Hispanic or Latino 20.77%

Unknown 4.19%

White 56.41%

Gender

female 36.33%

male 63.67%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Receiver career paths

Key steps to become a receiver

  1. Explore receiver education requirements

    Most common receiver degrees

    High School Diploma

    45.8 %

    Bachelor's

    20.9 %

    Associate

    16.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific receiver skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service18.69%
    Math10.27%
    Basic Math9.58%
    PET7.16%
    Cleanliness7.15%
  3. Complete relevant receiver training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New receivers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a receiver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real receiver resumes.
  4. Research receiver duties and responsibilities

    • Package small some times fragile items to be ship out via fed-ex, ups, and other distributors.
    • Pack, tape and ship boxes w/UPS, FX or DHL.
    • Process all invoices through the IRMA system.
    • Stamp, stencils, or glues identifying information and shipping instructions onto crates or containers.
  5. Prepare your receiver resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your receiver resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a receiver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable receiver resume templates

    Build a professional receiver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your receiver resume.
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  6. Apply for receiver jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a receiver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first receiver job

Zippi

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Average receiver salary

The average receiver salary in the United States is $32,401 per year or $16 per hour. Receiver salaries range between $26,000 and $39,000 per year.

Average receiver salary
$32,401 Yearly
$15.58 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do receivers rate their job?

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Receiver reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Fast pace, dealing with customer service, work is always changing

Cons

Management stuck in the same position no room for growth


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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