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What does a shipping clerk do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Shipping clerk responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping clerk resumes:

  • 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.
  • Transport mail to and from post office or non-bulk mail to DHL.
  • Pack and ensure all ship assets exceed DOD packing and HAZMAT requirements.
  • Receive pick orders that needs to be process, package and ship out to customers by FedEx
  • Stamp, stencils, or glues identifying information, and shipping instructions onto crates or containers.
  • Weigh out material using forklift and loading and unloading trucks using both overhead cranes and forklifts.
  • Pick and pack orders, create work and release work in WMS system for all order fillers.
  • Affix shipping labels on pack cartons or stencils identifying shipping information on cartons, using stenciling equipment.
  • Drive company vehicle to pickup mail from multiple local businesses and deliver USPS mail to post office.
  • Enter and adjust information in the WMS system to ensure accurate information is transmitted to the necessary personnel.

Shipping clerk skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Shipping Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Shipping Receiving, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.

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

  • Customer Service, 12%

    Received and responded to incoming phone calls on the customer service staffing line-providing information to internal and external customers.

  • Shipping Receiving, 8%

    Perform shipping receiving duties while ensuring the right item has been delivered.

  • Data Entry, 7%

    Provided administrative support to upper management via drafting all official company correspondence, typing, filling and performing data entry.

  • Ups, 6%

    Prepared shipping documents for fabric scheduled to ship (i.e., UPS, Fed EX, and assorted truck lines).

  • FedEx, 6%

    Trained in both FedEx and Ups shipping procedures and using the world ship programs in both and Sap in both programs.

  • Logistics, 6%

    Garnered expertise in database systems to track client/customer information, file records and document logistics reports.

Common skills that a shipping clerk uses to do their job include "customer service," "shipping receiving," and "data entry." You can find details on the most important shipping clerk responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a shipping clerk to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Additionally, a shipping clerk resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "detailed data entry into mrp database for material tickets of units coming from manufacturing to be shipped to the customers. "

Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform shipping clerk duties is detail oriented. Shipping clerks responsibilities require that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Shipping clerks also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "demonstrated strong attention to detail through data entry and invoicing payments. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of shipping clerks is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday shipping clerk duties, as "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed office functions including copying, faxing, data entry and basic mathematical calculations for invoice changes. "

Communication skills. A big part of what shipping clerks do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to shipping clerk responsibilities because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical shipping clerk tasks: "freight scheduling, shipping and receiving* data entry on all freight shipments* communication with freight lines/customer receiving"

All shipping clerk skills

The three companies that hire the most shipping clerks are:

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Compare different shipping clerks

Shipping clerk vs. Warehouse specialist

A warehouse specialist is someone who manages the daily procedures and functions of the warehouse efficiently and effectively. Their services are often needed in shipping docks, airports, and other industry warehouses. The specialist's primary responsibilities include supervising the shipping and receiving of materials and products, organizing the storage area, and monitoring the inventory. Candidates for the job must have strong knowledge in inventory control systems, able to multi-task, be physically fit, and able to safely operate warehouse machinery.

We looked at the average shipping clerk salary and compared it with the wages of a warehouse specialist. Generally speaking, warehouse specialists are paid $3,157 higher than shipping clerks per year.Even though shipping clerks and warehouse specialists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, shipping receiving, and data entry in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a shipping clerk are more likely to require skills like "ups," "outbound deliveries," "bol," and "ltl." On the other hand, a job as a warehouse specialist requires skills like "pallets," "basic math," "math," and "storage locations." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Warehouse specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $36,575. On the other hand, shipping clerks are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,174.The education levels that warehouse specialists earn slightly differ from shipping clerks. In particular, warehouse specialists are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a shipping clerk. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping clerk vs. Warehouse technician

A warehouse technician is responsible for monitoring the incoming and outgoing goods and services in the warehouse or distribution centers. Warehouse technicians verify shipment details, assist with packaging items, move merchandise to storage areas, inspect the quality of items for release, and escalate defective products for immediate replacement. They also operate various warehouse equipment and machinery, conduct maintenance repairs, and loading and unloading items from the delivery trucks. A warehouse technician must have excellent time-management and organizational skills, especially on processing orders and creating reports for inventory receipts.

On average, warehouse technicians earn a $3,127 higher salary than shipping clerks 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 clerks and warehouse technicians have skills such as "customer service," "shipping receiving," and "data entry. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real shipping clerk resumes. While shipping clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "ups," "outbound deliveries," "bol," and "outbound shipments," warehouse technicians use skills like "pallets," "warehouse environment," "patients," and "osha."

Warehouse technicians may earn a higher salary than shipping clerks, but warehouse technicians earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $36,898. On the other hand, shipping clerks receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,174.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Warehouse technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than shipping clerks. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping clerk vs. Inventory control clerk

An inventory control clerk is responsible for managing the stock inventory, recording incoming and outgoing deliveries, and inspecting proper labeling before moving the products to the storage areas. Inventory control clerks resolve inventory discrepancies, checking and reviewing product details and reports from the warehouse software database. They also monitor shipment details, confirm orders, and process payments. An inventory control clerk must have excellent knowledge of data processing since this job requires them to perform various administrative and clerical tasks as needed to ensure the smooth operations within the department.

An average inventory control clerk eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of shipping clerks. The difference in salaries amounts to inventory control clerks earning a $3,776 higher average salary than shipping clerks.By looking over several shipping clerks and inventory control clerks resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "shipping receiving," and "data entry." 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 clerk is likely to be skilled in "ups," "logistics," "outbound deliveries," and "load trucks," while a typical inventory control clerk is skilled in "math," "basic math," "management system," and "forklift training."

Inventory control clerks earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $36,946. Shipping clerks earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $35,174.When it comes to education, inventory control clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to shipping clerks. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping clerk vs. Shipping and receiving associate

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.

Shipping and receiving associates average a higher salary than the annual salary of shipping clerks. The difference is about $550 per year.According to resumes from shipping clerks and shipping and receiving associates, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "shipping receiving," and "logistics. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between shipping clerks and shipping and receiving associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a shipping clerk might have more use for skills like "data entry," "ups," "fedex," and "outbound deliveries." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of shipping and receiving associates require skills like "pallets," "hand tools," "good communication," and "delivery vehicle. "

The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for shipping and receiving associates, with average annual pay of $35,683. Comparatively, the highest shipping clerk annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, shipping and receiving associates hold similar degree levels compared to shipping clerks. Shipping and receiving associates are 0.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of shipping clerk

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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