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Receiver vs inventory clerk

The differences between receivers and inventory clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory clerk has an average salary of $32,666, which is higher than the $32,401 average annual salary of a receiver.

The top three skills for a receiver include customer service, math and basic math. The most important skills for an inventory clerk are customer service, data entry, and inventory control.

Receiver vs inventory clerk overview

ReceiverInventory Clerk
Yearly salary$32,401$32,666
Hourly rate$15.58$15.70
Growth rate-3%1%
Number of jobs186,250204,051
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4338
Years of experience12-

What does a receiver do?

A receiver is responsible for confirming receipt of items delivered from distribution centers to the warehouse. Receivers carefully evaluate order invoices, ensuring the correct quantity of the items, and inspect the merchandise for any possible mislabeling and defects. They also coordinate with the distributors for replacement and verifications concerning the delivery. A receiver must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially on billing discrepancies by utilizing specific shipping software to monitor the delivery activities.

What does an inventory clerk do?

Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.

Receiver vs inventory clerk salary

Receivers and inventory clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

ReceiverInventory Clerk
Average salary$32,401$32,666
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYPortland, OR
Highest paying stateNew YorkOregon
Best paying companyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyBD
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between receiver and inventory clerk education

There are a few differences between a receiver and an inventory clerk in terms of educational background:

ReceiverInventory Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Receiver vs inventory clerk demographics

Here are the differences between receivers' and inventory clerks' demographics:

ReceiverInventory Clerk
Average age4338
Gender ratioMale, 63.7% Female, 36.3%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between receiver and inventory clerk duties and responsibilities

Receiver example 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.
  • Pack and crate major components for shipments; schedule all LTL domestic and overseas shipments.
  • Refuse any product that are not on purchase order and deduct the charge off the invoice.
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Inventory clerk example responsibilities.

  • Use ERP system on a daily basis to accurately move and manage finish goods throughout the plant into inventory.
  • Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
  • Receive in POs and transfers.
  • Maintain complete update purchasing records/data and pricing in the system POS.
  • Reconcile receipts from travel expenses, material and employee payday loan log to AS400 reports.
  • Key in and verify invoices using the AS400 system coming from various shops and terminals worldwide.
  • Show more

Receiver vs inventory clerk skills

Common receiver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Math, 10%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • PET, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Pallets, 6%
Common inventory clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Purchase Orders, 8%
  • Cycle Counts, 6%
  • Shipping Receiving, 5%

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