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What does a shipping technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Shipping technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping technician resumes:

  • Manage an off-site facility by organizing overflow product placement and the logistics of transporting it as needed.
  • Train on an RF gun and electronic pallet jack.
  • Work in finish goods vault picking orders using first in first out (fifo) and sequential order.
  • Perform logistics management operations by inspect incoming property for correct identification, condition and security classifications.
  • Move motorcycles and snowmobiles with forklift.

Shipping technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Shipping Technicians are proficient in Data Entry, Computer Software, and Pallets. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.

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

  • Data Entry, 18%

    Helped build and implement work stream data entry and tracking system.

  • Computer Software, 11%

    Scan, label and process production materials through computer software.

  • Pallets, 7%

    Load and unload tractor-trailers and flatbed trailers (using tow motor and/or pallet jacks).

  • Customer Orders, 5%

    Created shipping report, audited customer orders, and inventory reconciliation.

  • Sops, 5%

    Perform daily and weekly cleaning according to SOPs.

  • Hand Tools, 5%

    Build racks and baskets using hand tools and operate electric pallet jack and sit down forklift when needed

Most shipping technicians use their skills in "data entry," "computer software," and "pallets" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential shipping technician responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a shipping technician to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a shipping technician resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "praised by supervisor for work ethics and exceptional communication skills. "

Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform shipping technician duties is customer-service skills. Shipping technicians responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Shipping technicians also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "packed hazardous and non-hazardous materials according to customer specific deadlines. "

Detail oriented. shipping technicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to shipping technician 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 technician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "send outgoing packages via pickup for ups, dhl, fedex skills used multi-tasking, attention to detail. "

Math skills. shipping technician responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what shipping technicians do with math skills on a typical day: "read the work order using scan gun and applying basic math skills with high accuracy percentages. "

All shipping technician skills

The three companies that hire the most shipping technicians are:

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Compare different shipping technicians

Shipping technician 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.

The annual salary of logistics clerks is $324 lower than the average salary of shipping technicians.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between shipping technicians and logistics clerks are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data entry, customer orders, and inventory control.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between shipping technicians and logistics clerk. For instance, shipping technician responsibilities require skills such as "computer software," "pallets," "sops," and "hand tools." Whereas a logistics clerk is skilled in "customer service," "outbound shipments," "freight bills," and "delivery schedules." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Logistics clerks earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,696. On the other hand, shipping technicians are paid more in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $35,129.On average, logistics clerks reach similar levels of education than shipping technicians. Logistics clerks are 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping technician vs. Warehouse receiving

The duties of a warehouse receiving worker include interacting with delivery couriers, such as DHL and FedEx/UPS, while generally simplifying the customer service delivery process. They are expected to closely inspect all goods and products for damages, verify the quantities of products ordered, and enter these into inventory using RF or WMS system. The responsibility of determining the designated method of shipment of products may also fall to them.

Warehouse receiving positions earn lower pay than shipping technician roles. They earn a $593 lower salary than shipping technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Shipping technicians and warehouse receivings both require similar skills like "pallets," "customer orders," and "inventory control" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that shipping technician responsibilities requires skills like "data entry," "computer software," "sops," and "hand tools." But a warehouse receiving might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "warehouse receiver," "purchase orders," "warehouse environment," and "math."

Warehouse receivings earn a lower average salary than shipping technicians. But warehouse receivings earn the highest pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $33,909. Additionally, shipping technicians earn the highest salaries in the pharmaceutical with average pay of $35,129 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Warehouse receivings tend to reach similar levels of education than shipping technicians. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping technician 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.

An average distribution clerk eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of shipping technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to distribution clerks earning a $1,265 lower average salary than shipping technicians.shipping technicians and distribution clerks both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data entry," "customer orders," and "inventory control," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, shipping technicians are more likely to have skills like "computer software," "pallets," "sops," and "hand tools." But a distribution clerk is more likely to have skills like "patients," "customer support," "purchase orders," and "pallet jack."

Distribution clerks earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $34,032. Shipping technicians earn the highest pay from the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $35,129.Most distribution clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to shipping technicians. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Shipping technician vs. Distribution specialist

A distribution specialist specializes in the real-time, time-bounded, secure distribution of products from factories and manufacturing plants to various stores and companies. They are also responsible for making inventories of incoming goods and machines to the factory where he/she works. They can be liable to any lost goods, erroneous inventories, malicious products, and troublesome staff sometimes. Every distribution specialist must ensure that production quotas are achieved and that any barriers to achieving these goals are resolved

Distribution specialists typically earn higher pay than shipping technicians. On average, distribution specialists earn a $2,733 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, shipping technicians and distribution specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer orders," "inventory control," and "shipping receiving. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A shipping technician uses "data entry," "computer software," "pallets," and "sops." Distribution specialists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "strong customer service," and "customer inquiries. "In general, distribution specialists earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $40,607. The highest-paying industry for a shipping technician is the pharmaceutical industry.The average resume of distribution specialists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to shipping technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of shipping technician

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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