Hiring Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Employers across the 92 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks a median of $32,830 to $56,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks do?
- Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
- Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
- Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
- Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
- Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
- Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 43-5071.00.
What does it take to become one?
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET Job Zone 2, SVP (4.0 to < 6.0). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Inventory management systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word for this role.
What do shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks in 92 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $32,830 to $56,370 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $44,960. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 43-5071.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks in this build is $56,370. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $11,274 to $16,911 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.