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The differences between shipping associates and distribution 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 shipping associate and a distribution associate. Additionally, a distribution associate has an average salary of $33,453, which is higher than the $33,137 average annual salary of a shipping associate.
The top three skills for a shipping associate include pallets, customer service and phone calls. The most important skills for a distribution associate are pallets, basic math, and customer orders.
| Shipping Associate | Distribution Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $33,137 | $33,453 |
| Hourly rate | $15.93 | $16.08 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 171,689 | 175,791 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A distribution associate typically works at warehouses or distribution establishments where they are in charge of processing orders for shipments or deliveries in a timely and efficient manner. Their responsibilities often include monitoring the inventory of goods, identifying and locating items, liaising with clients, receiving orders, lifting heavy packages, and maintaining accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a distribution associate, it is essential to be proactive as warehouse conditions can be unpredictable due to the influx of goods.
Shipping associates and distribution associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shipping Associate | Distribution Associate | |
| Average salary | $33,137 | $33,453 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $27,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | Nestlé | Clearwater Paper |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a shipping associate and a distribution associate in terms of educational background:
| Shipping Associate | Distribution Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between shipping associates' and distribution associates' demographics:
| Shipping Associate | Distribution Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |