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How to hire a shipping and receiving associate

Shipping and receiving associate hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring shipping and receiving associates in the United States:

  • There are currently 665,486 shipping and receiving associates in the US, as well as 168,957 job openings.
  • Shipping and receiving associates are in the highest demand in Fremont, CA, with 7 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a shipping and receiving associate is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new shipping and receiving associate to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a shipping and receiving associate, step by step

To hire a shipping and receiving associate, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a shipping and receiving associate:

Here's a step-by-step shipping and receiving associate hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a shipping and receiving associate job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new shipping and receiving associate
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a shipping and receiving associate does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The shipping and receiving associate hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect shipping and receiving associate also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of shipping and receiving associates and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Shipping And Receiving AssociateDescriptionHourly rate
    Shipping And Receiving AssociateMaterial recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.$12-18
    Warehouse ClerkA warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse... Show more$12-18
    Logistics ClerkLogistics clerks are professionals who are responsible for regulating the supply chain of an organization by performing administrative tasks such as monitoring inventory levels, arranging transportation methods, and managing shipping schedules. These clerks are required to ensure that electronic or paper files are kept accurately and up-to-date so that they can track orders and answer billing questions... Show more$12-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Shipping Receiving
    • Pallets
    • Customer Service
    • Hand Tools
    • Logistics
    • Computer System
    • RF
    • Inventory Control
    • Electric Pallet Jack
    • Safety Regulations
    • Outbound Shipments
    • Customer Orders
    • Delivery Vehicle
    • Sales Floor
    Check all skills
    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.
    More shipping and receiving associate duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the shipping and receiving associate job description is a good way to get more applicants. A shipping and receiving associate salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a shipping and receiving associate in Tennessee may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level shipping and receiving associate. Additionally, a shipping and receiving associate with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average shipping and receiving associate salary

    $15.58hourly

    $32,408 yearly

    Entry-level shipping and receiving associate salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average shipping and receiving associate salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$38,028$18
    2Minnesota$35,642$17
    3Oregon$34,704$17
    4California$34,702$17
    5Wisconsin$33,891$16
    6Illinois$33,057$16
    7Pennsylvania$32,534$16
    8Colorado$32,221$15
    9Ohio$31,959$15
    10Michigan$31,802$15
    11Maryland$31,594$15
    12Arizona$31,262$15
    13Virginia$30,232$15
    14Indiana$29,682$14
    15Texas$28,709$14
    16Utah$28,292$14
    17Oklahoma$27,981$13
    18Missouri$27,969$13
    19North Carolina$26,817$13
    20Tennessee$26,283$13

    Average shipping and receiving associate salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1La Colombe Coffee Roasters$39,965$19.21
    2Olympic Steel$39,340$18.9112
    3Rasmussen Co Inc$39,312$18.90
    4Benjamin Moore$38,860$18.681
    5Kloeckner Metals$38,843$18.6711
    6Form Energy$38,422$18.47
    7Amcor$38,367$18.458
    8Alfa Laval$38,132$18.331
    9Fluid Components International$38,095$18.31
    10Persistent Systems$38,078$18.31
    11BASi$38,061$18.30
    12Air Liquide$38,025$18.28
    13Freightliner Trucks$37,961$18.25
    14AMETEK$37,815$18.188
    15Stanley Black & Decker$37,614$18.087
    16Astronics$37,344$17.952
    17Compunnel$37,187$17.88
    18Golden State Foods$36,989$17.78
    19REI$36,903$17.7411
    20Safe Fleet$36,724$17.661
  4. Writing a shipping and receiving associate job description

    A good shipping and receiving associate job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a shipping and receiving associate job description:

    Shipping and receiving associate job description example

    1. Provide support to the Shipping and Receiving Department Leader as well as have the ability to fulfill the requirements of that position in the Department Leader’s absence.

    2. Update and print out M3 generated logs daily for distribution to Production Managers for a ship list.

    3. Receiving-Unpack all material or supplies. Verify counts with packing slip from customer or vendor. Print out status route sheet and place in color-coded sleeve.

    4. Print out procedures and put with paperwork. Communicate with Production Managers or Customer Service Department regarding jobs received that do not have a written procedure.

    5. Handle rework by notifying Quality Manager when it is received. Send the job, with its original paperwork, and a “Rework” sheet to the Quality Manger for verification of non-conformance.

    6. Packaging- Pack all materials sufficiently as to not damage material during shipment. Verify counts and mark on paperwork to be invoiced. Remove shipped items from log.

    7. Invoicing-Invoice all jobs as completed verifying count and freight charges if applicable. Print pack slip to be sent with parts.

    8. Shipping-Determine method of shipment from customer paperwork, if not on paperwork see Customer Service.

    9. Coordinate pick-ups and deliveries utilizing the Company truck.

    10. Maintain daily numbers for all material received and shipped.

    11. Ensure any material placed on hold table has documentation stating why the job is on hold as well as the date and time.

    12. Keep shipping and receiving area clean and organized at all times.

    13. Notify Department Leader of any shipping supplies needed in a timely matter as not to run out of supplies.

    14. Consistent demonstration, communication and support of the Company's philosophy.

    15. Participate in the development and maintenance of safe work procedures to include housekeeping, regular and documented safety meetings.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    ü Must possess excellent computer skills. (Excel, Word)

    ü Must possess the ability to accurately count material received and shipped.

    ü Must have a basic knowledge of safety and safety programs as they pertain to the machining industry.

    ü Must be able to work in a team environment with good verbal and written communication skills.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

    The specific physical demands of this job include lifting up to 75 pounds, and generally engaging in activities such as bending, lifting, walking, sitting, turning and repetitive motion, generally in an indoor weather-controlled environment. The position involves some risk of exposure to injuries related to physical demands of the job and requires close attention to detail and safety protocols. The position also requires visual and communication skills in observation of machine work and in communicating with co-workers, as well as in reading written instructions.

    We offer a safe, clean, organized, climate-controlled environment. No tools are required.

  5. Post your job

    To find shipping and receiving associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any shipping and receiving associates they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level shipping and receiving associates with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your shipping and receiving associate job on Zippia to find and recruit shipping and receiving associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit shipping and receiving associates, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new shipping and receiving associate

    Once you've decided on a perfect shipping and receiving associate candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new shipping and receiving associate. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a shipping and receiving associate?

Before you start to hire shipping and receiving associates, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire shipping and receiving associates pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Shipping and receiving associates earn a median yearly salary is $32,408 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find shipping and receiving associates for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $12 and $18.

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