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The differences between receiving clerks and distribution 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 receiving clerk and a distribution clerk. Additionally, a distribution clerk has an average salary of $32,142, which is higher than the $31,482 average annual salary of a receiving clerk.
The top three skills for a receiving clerk include customer service, purchase orders and data entry. The most important skills for a distribution clerk are data entry, shipping receiving, and patients.
| Receiving Clerk | Distribution Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $31,482 | $32,142 |
| Hourly rate | $15.14 | $15.45 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 237,705 | 86,473 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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.
Receiving clerks and distribution clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Receiving Clerk | Distribution Clerk | |
| Average salary | $31,482 | $32,142 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $38,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Eureka, CA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | SF-Marin Food Bank |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a receiving clerk and a distribution clerk in terms of educational background:
| Receiving Clerk | Distribution Clerk | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between receiving clerks' and distribution clerks' demographics:
| Receiving Clerk | Distribution Clerk | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% | Male, 50.5% Female, 49.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |