Post job

Shipper vs shipping associate

The differences between shippers and shipping 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 shipper and a shipping associate. Additionally, a shipper has an average salary of $33,233, which is higher than the $33,137 average annual salary of a shipping associate.

The top three skills for a shipper include pallets, basic math and math. The most important skills for a shipping associate are pallets, customer service, and phone calls.

Shipper vs shipping associate overview

ShipperShipping Associate
Yearly salary$33,233$33,137
Hourly rate$15.98$15.93
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs169,934171,689
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a shipper do?

A shipper is an employee who is responsible for filling customer orders and ensures that the quality of these orders meets the company standards. Shippers are tasked with locating items in a warehouse and preparing them for shipping while completing all the transportation procedures so that no complications arise during the cargo-sending process. They use different trays, forklifts, and scissor lifts following the safety standards set by government regulations and company rules. Shippers must also know how to operate a scanner or use the shipping system to track inventory.

What does a shipping associate do?

Shipping associates prepare, package, and ship items ordered through digital channels. They must ensure goods are packaged to minimize risk of damages. They maintain ingoing and outgoing shipments and prepare shipping labels.

Shipper vs shipping associate salary

Shippers and shipping associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

ShipperShipping Associate
Average salary$33,233$33,137
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityWausau, WISeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyNucorNestlé
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between shipper and shipping associate education

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

ShipperShipping Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Shipper vs shipping associate demographics

Here are the differences between shippers' and shipping associates' demographics:

ShipperShipping Associate
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 73.1% Female, 26.9%Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 7.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between shipper and shipping associate duties and responsibilities

Shipper example responsibilities.

  • Pack and ship gift packages via USPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
  • Use of drill press, wood see, nail gun, ginder, and stencils.
  • Prepare loads for LTL shipments.
  • Work with the USPS to ship packages internationally.
  • Process and schedule all shipments including LTL (less than truckload) and small package.
  • Review and assemble products order, create shipping labels, and deliver products to customers via UPS/FEDEX or DHL systems.
  • Show more

Shipping associate example responsibilities.

  • Pick up mail and packages from USPS facilities.
  • Pick up & deliver mail to & from USPS processing center.
  • Create bill of ladings for LTL shipments for both international and domestic.
  • Develop a working knowledge of WMS systems to research inventory or print bills of lading.
  • Prepare paperwork & make pick-up arrangements for shipments to be transport by way of LTL trucks.
  • Gain basic understating of logistics and large-scale management.
  • Show more

Shipper vs shipping associate skills

Common shipper skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Math, 8%
  • Shipping Receiving, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
Common shipping associate skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • WMS, 6%

Browse office and administrative jobs