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What does a shipping assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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Shipping assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping assistant resumes:

  • Complete documentation and manage inventory levels by utilizing ERP systems.
  • Manifest and confirm LTL pick tickets before shipments.
  • Print out there BOL's give them a trailer/load seal.
  • Weigh, seal and stamp outgoing USPS mail and packages and bag for delivery.
  • Deliver all mail and packages, collecting all outgoing USPS mail and outgoing interoffice mail during delivery rounds.
  • Close out bound trailers with seals and product going out to different areas of Austin, filling in BOL in YMS.
  • Schedule pick-ups for national and international orders through LTL and full truck load carriers, or air freight companies as needed.
  • Provide customer support for logistics.
  • Operate logistics for transportation of company vehicles.
  • Perform consistently accurate carton counts, verify and enter quantity information into WMS.
  • Work with RMA returns and work to successfully fix the company's computers hardware and software issues.
  • Move motorcycles and snowmobiles with forklift.

Shipping assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Shipping Assistants are proficient in Shipping Receiving, Pallets, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Shipping Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Shipping Receiving, 15%

    Performed shipping receiving both physically and systematically.

  • Pallets, 11%

    Stamped, stenciled or glued identifying information and shipping instructions onto crates, pallets and containers.

  • Data Entry, 11%

    Resolve conflicting situations of incorrect data entry associated with inventory orders or shipping information.

  • Purchase Orders, 9%

    Collaborate with procurement to reconcile any purchase orders or any discrepancies in orders.

  • Logistics, 9%

    Operated logistics for transportation of company vehicles.

  • Pallet Jack, 5%

    Operate dolly, pallet jack, and forklift in loading and unloading supplies & equipment; operate shrink wrap machine.

"shipping receiving," "pallets," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that shipping assistants use at work. You can find even more shipping assistant responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a shipping assistant to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Shipping assistants often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "supported shipping and receiving through data entry, reporting, vendor communication, and customer service. "

Customer-service skills. Many shipping assistant duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a shipping assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways shipping assistant responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "pick orders for ups outgoing* data entry* distribution of daily mail* operate electric pallet jack* process customer online orders for shipment"

Detail oriented. shipping assistants are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to shipping assistant responsibilities, because "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." A shipping assistant resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "close and detailed attention to proper data entry and computer based knowledge. "

Math skills. For certain shipping assistant responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a shipping assistant rely on this skill, as "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what shipping assistants do: "required ability of 10 key by touch, inventory control measures, excellent math skills and use of proprietary computer software. "

Most common shipping assistant skills

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Compare different shipping assistants

Shipping assistant vs. Receiver

A receiver is responsible for confirming receipt of items delivered from distribution centers to the warehouse. Receivers carefully evaluate order invoices, ensuring the correct quantity of the items, and inspect the merchandise for any possible mislabeling and defects. They also coordinate with the distributors for replacement and verifications concerning the delivery. A receiver must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially on billing discrepancies by utilizing specific shipping software to monitor the delivery activities.

We looked at the average shipping assistant salary and compared it with the wages of a receiver. Generally speaking, receivers are paid $168 lower than shipping assistants per year.Even though shipping assistants and receivers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require shipping receiving, pallets, and data entry in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, shipping assistant responsibilities require skills like "logistics," "pallet jack," "outbound shipments," and "sales orders." Meanwhile a typical receiver has skills in areas such as "customer service," "math," "basic math," and "ladders." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Receivers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $33,859. Comparatively, shipping assistants tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,731.The education levels that receivers earn slightly differ from shipping assistants. In particular, receivers are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a shipping assistant. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping assistant vs. Warehouse clerk

A 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. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.

On average, warehouse clerks earn a $1,005 lower salary than shipping assistants a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both shipping assistants and warehouse clerks have skills such as "shipping receiving," "pallets," and "data entry. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that shipping assistant responsibilities requires skills like "pallet jack," "inventory control," "international shipments," and "fed-ex." But a warehouse clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "customer service," and "patients."

Warehouse clerks earn a lower average salary than shipping assistants. But warehouse clerks earn the highest pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $32,595. Additionally, shipping assistants earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $35,731 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Warehouse clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than shipping assistants. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping assistant vs. Distribution clerk

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.

On average, distribution clerks earn lower salaries than shipping assistants, with a $427 difference per year.By looking over several shipping assistants and distribution clerks resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "shipping receiving," "data entry," and "purchase orders." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a shipping assistant is likely to be skilled in "pallets," "logistics," "outbound shipments," and "international shipments," while a typical distribution clerk is skilled in "patients," "customer support," "delivery truck," and "forklift training."

Distribution clerks earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $34,032. Comparatively, shipping assistants have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $35,731.distribution clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to shipping assistants. Specifically, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping assistant vs. Logistics clerk

Logistics 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. They must assist in inspecting orders that arrived in their facility so that they can identify damage and input information into their inventory records. Logistic clerks must also handle replacement for incorrect or damaged goods.

Logistics clerks typically earn higher pay than shipping assistants. On average, logistics clerks earn a $514 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, shipping assistants and logistics clerks both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "shipping receiving," "data entry," and "purchase orders. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A shipping assistant uses "pallets," "logistics," "pallet jack," and "place materials." Logistics clerks are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "freight bills," "delivery schedules," and "reconcile inventory. "logistics clerks enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $35,696. For comparison, shipping assistants earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, logistics clerks hold similar degree levels compared to shipping assistants. Logistics clerks are 0.6% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of shipping assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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