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Receiving clerk vs shipping and receiving associate

The differences between receiving clerks and shipping and receiving associates 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 shipping and receiving associate. Additionally, a shipping and receiving associate has an average salary of $32,408, 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 shipping and receiving associate are shipping receiving, pallets, and customer service.

Receiving clerk vs shipping and receiving associate overview

Receiving ClerkShipping And Receiving Associate
Yearly salary$31,482$32,408
Hourly rate$15.14$15.58
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs237,705168,957
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a receiving clerk do?

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.

What does a shipping and receiving associate do?

Usually, shipping and receiving associates work in retail or a warehouse to manage the incoming and outgoing materials and products. Shipping and receiving associates keep records of all the materials received and shipped. They develop the mailing labels as well as the shipping documents. It is their job to make sure that orders are filled appropriately. The skills necessary for this job include basic math, communication, organization, and attention to detail.

Receiving clerk vs shipping and receiving associate salary

Receiving clerks and shipping and receiving associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Receiving ClerkShipping And Receiving Associate
Average salary$31,482$32,408
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaWashington
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryLa Colombe Coffee Roasters
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between receiving clerk and shipping and receiving associate education

There are a few differences between a receiving clerk and a shipping and receiving associate in terms of educational background:

Receiving ClerkShipping And Receiving Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Receiving clerk vs shipping and receiving associate demographics

Here are the differences between receiving clerks' and shipping and receiving associates' demographics:

Receiving ClerkShipping And Receiving Associate
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 60.2% Female, 39.8%Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 7.2% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between receiving clerk and shipping and receiving associate duties and responsibilities

Receiving clerk example responsibilities.

  • Assist in the daily managing of fresh product using the FIFO accounting principal.
  • Master POS (point-of-sale) in order to process cash, check and credit transaction.
  • Scan and charge ticket quantities, pull parts, issue to shipping department and process daily UPS/ FedEx parts order shipments.
  • Communicate with patients, doctors, visitors, and other professionals via telephone, fax, written correspondence or in person.
  • Verify patients information via computer.
  • Prepare shipping containers using stencils and documentation sleeves.
  • Show more

Shipping and receiving associate example responsibilities.

  • Transport goods from racks, shelves, and vehicles using carts, dollies, hand trucks or other moving equipment.
  • Keep strict batch records according to FDA, USDA and DEA mandates for QA purposes.
  • Exceed daily pickups for endoscopes from FedEx utilizing company van.
  • Coordinate inbound/outbound cargo with commercial carriers such as FedEx and DHL shipments as necessary.
  • Coordinate early drop off times and late pick up times with FedEx in order to fully optimize production time.
  • End of day confirm BOL's with freight/pallets on containers, place BOL's in containers for drivers for delivery.
  • Show more

Receiving clerk vs shipping and receiving associate skills

Common receiving clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Inventory Control, 4%
Common shipping and receiving associate skills
  • Shipping Receiving, 23%
  • Pallets, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 4%
  • Logistics, 4%
  • Computer System, 4%

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