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Shipper vs shipping clerk

The differences between shippers and shipping 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 shipper and a shipping clerk. Additionally, a shipper has an average salary of $33,233, which is higher than the $31,858 average annual salary of a shipping clerk.

The top three skills for a shipper include pallets, basic math and math. The most important skills for a shipping clerk are customer service, shipping receiving, and data entry.

Shipper vs shipping clerk overview

ShipperShipping Clerk
Yearly salary$33,233$31,858
Hourly rate$15.98$15.32
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs169,934205,150
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 44%
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 clerk do?

A Shipping Clerk is responsible for managing shipment procedures and handling the tasks of receiving, preparing, and approving them for delivery. Among the duties of a Shipping Clerk also involves processing orders and ensuring all details are accurate, producing the necessary labels and receipts, weighing and examining packages, and organizing schedules of deliveries and pick-ups. Furthermore, a Shipping Clerk must also observe procedures, coordinate with every personnel involved, communicate with clients, and maintain an accurate inventory record at all times.

Shipper vs shipping clerk salary

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

ShipperShipping Clerk
Average salary$33,233$31,858
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $39,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityWausau, WITualatin, OR
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyNucorBD
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between shipper and shipping clerk education

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

ShipperShipping Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Shipper vs shipping clerk demographics

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

ShipperShipping Clerk
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 73.1% Female, 26.9%Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between shipper and shipping clerk 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.
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Shipping clerk example responsibilities.

  • Maintain a close-knit relationship with freight brokers to negotiate and attain the best possible pricing for LTL and truckload shipments.
  • Print documents by either using fed ex or ups or grind or will call.
  • Process shipments via FedEx, DHL & TNT, using different account numbers by comparing rates and weights.
  • Schedule big pick ups, make BOL and print labels for next day or other dates if ready to print.
  • Create and run reports as necessary to track ordering trends.
  • Used mathematics to insure time are not waste folding new boxes.
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Shipper vs shipping clerk skills

Common shipper skills
  • Pallets, 12%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Math, 8%
  • Shipping Receiving, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
Common shipping clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Shipping Receiving, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Ups, 6%
  • FedEx, 6%
  • Logistics, 6%

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