Shipping and Receiving Clerk
SOC 43-5071.00 · ESCO 4321 · OSCA 571331
Role snapshot
Overview
Processes incoming and outgoing shipments by verifying orders against invoices, inspecting goods for damage, updating inventory records, and coordinating with carriers. This role is crucial for maintaining accurate stock levels and ensuring timely and correct delivery of goods.
Ensures the smooth flow of goods, preventing delays, reducing errors in inventory, and contributing to efficient supply chain operations and customer satisfaction.
On the job
- Receive, unpack, and inspect incoming materials and compare information with invoices, manifests, and other records.
- Prepare documents for shipping, including bills of lading, packing lists, and shipping labels.
- Organize and maintain the warehouse, ensuring proper storage and easy retrieval of goods.
- Coordinate with freight carriers, couriers, and internal departments for timely pickups and deliveries.
- Operate forklifts or other material handling equipment to move, load, or unload materials.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
High school diploma or GED required. Some roles may prefer a certificate in logistics or supply chain management.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Tasks like order verification, inventory updates, and basic shipment scheduling are highly susceptible to AI automation.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The need for physical inspection, complex problem-solving, and non-routine coordination prevents AI from fully completing workflows unaided.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Employers in logistics have a strong incentive to introduce AI for efficiency gains in administrative and record-keeping tasks.
Human dependence
moderate
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success relies significantly on human judgment for damage assessment, exception handling, and direct communication with carriers and internal teams.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
moderate
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can readily adapt by shifting focus from routine administrative tasks to overseeing automated systems and managing exceptions.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Verifying incoming goods against invoices and manifests for accuracy
- Updating inventory records with new stock levels and locations
- Generating shipping labels and bills of lading automatically
- Coordinating pickup schedules with freight carriers based on optimized routes
- Identifying discrepancies between received goods and purchase orders
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Inspecting goods for damage and making judgment calls on quality
- Coordinating with internal departments for non-routine issues or specific requests
- Physically organizing and maintaining the warehouse layout
- Operating forklifts and other material handling equipment safely
- Resolving complex discrepancies with suppliers or carriers
- Directly engaging with carriers for urgent or unusual shipments
How the role may evolve
From manual record-keeping to oversight of automated systems and physical exception handling.
The role will shift from primarily transactional data entry to supervising AI-driven administrative processes and focusing more on the physical handling, quality control, and complex coordination that requires human judgment.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and AI-driven logistics software
- Enhanced critical thinking for exception identification and resolution
- Strong communication and negotiation skills for vendor and carrier relations
- Ability to operate and troubleshoot basic material handling equipment
- Attention to detail for quality control and physical inspection
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Logistics & Supply Chain
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
conventional · CRE
Individuals who thrive on order, precision, and practical tasks, and enjoy coordinating logistics to ensure efficient operations, tend to find this role fulfilling.
Personality characteristics
Organized
Keeps track of details, maintains structured records, and ensures a tidy workspace.
Methodical
Follows established procedures and protocols for handling shipments and inventory accurately.
Practical
Prefers hands-on tasks and tangible results, focusing on the efficient movement of physical goods.
Reliable
Consistently performs duties to ensure shipments are processed correctly and on time.
Steady
Handles routine tasks and occasional disruptions with a calm and consistent demeanor.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy systematic work and ensuring accuracy in logistical operations.
- People who prefer a clear set of responsibilities and a structured daily routine.
- Those who take satisfaction in seeing goods move efficiently through the supply chain.
Watch out for
- The work can be repetitive and requires sustained attention to detail, which may not suit those seeking constant novelty.
- Physical demands and working in a warehouse environment might not be suitable for everyone.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Shipping and Receiving Clerk — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles
What does a Shipping and Receiving Clerk do?
A Shipping and Receiving Clerk processes incoming and outgoing shipments by verifying orders against invoices, inspecting goods for damage, updating inventory records, and coordinating with carriers. This role is crucial for maintaining accurate stock levels and ensuring timely and correct delivery of goods. Ensures the smooth flow of goods, preventing delays, reducing errors in inventory, and contributing to efficient supply chain operations and customer satisfaction.
How much does a Shipping and Receiving Clerk earn?
A Shipping and Receiving Clerk earns a median of $38,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $30,000 to $48,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
To become a Shipping and Receiving Clerk, high school diploma or GED required. Some roles may prefer a certificate in logistics or supply chain management.
What personality suits a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 82/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Organized, Methodical, Practical and Reliable. Keeps track of details, maintains structured records, and ensures a tidy workspace. On interests, Shipping and Receiving Clerk maps to a CRE Holland Code profile — individuals who thrive on order, precision, and practical tasks, and enjoy coordinating logistics to ensure efficient operations, tend to find this role fulfilling.
Who does a Shipping and Receiving Clerk role suit?
A Shipping and Receiving Clerk role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. High Conventional alignment: the role demands precision, organization, and adherence to procedures. The work involves practical, hands-on tasks in a structured environment (Realistic affinity). Opportunity to coordinate and manage logistics, appealing to those with Enterprising interests.
What are the downsides of being a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The work can be repetitive and requires sustained attention to detail, which may not suit those seeking constant novelty. Physical demands and working in a warehouse environment might not be suitable for everyone.
What is the work environment like for a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
Work as a Shipping and Receiving Clerk is mostly warehouse-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines, a moderate pace and low exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 65% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
Core skills for a Shipping and Receiving Clerk include Inventory management, Logistics coordination, Attention to detail, Material handling and Record keeping.
How do you become a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
Common entry routes into Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles include General Laborer, Warehouse Assistant and Stock Clerk.
What career progression is there for a Shipping and Receiving Clerk?
From a Shipping and Receiving Clerk role, common next steps include Warehouse Supervisor and Inventory Control Specialist; lateral moves include Logistics Coordinator.
What is the job outlook for Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles?
The outlook for Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Shipping and Receiving Clerk roles at 51 out of 100, which is moderate. AI is likely to automate many record-keeping and basic scheduling tasks, while physical handling, damage inspection, and direct carrier coordination remain human-led. AI is most likely to take on verifying incoming goods against invoices and manifests for accuracy, updating inventory records with new stock levels and locations and generating shipping labels and bills of lading automatically. Inspecting goods for damage and making judgment calls on quality, coordinating with internal departments for non-routine issues or specific requests and physically organizing and maintaining the warehouse layout stay with people. From manual record-keeping to oversight of automated systems and physical exception handling. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.