Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks keep materials and products moving by handling incoming and outgoing shipments and tracking inventory. National employment stands at 862,000, indicating this is a sizable occupation with a broad presence across the economy. While overall projected employment growth is -7.7%, there are still an estimated 69,000 annual openings, which suggests ongoing turnover and replacement needs. The work draws on a mix of physical, technical, and organizational strengths, including physical strength and stamina, detail orientation, mathematics, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to use computers and information technology. Customer service, writing and reading, and project management skills also play a role, along with leadership abilities in some settings. With a typical entry point of a high school diploma or equivalent, this path can be accessible for students and career changers who are ready to build practical skills in logistics, inventory control, and material handling while exploring longer-term advancement options in related roles.
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks earn a national median annual salary of $43,190. This provides a useful baseline when comparing offers or considering relocation. Several states offer higher median wages than the national figure. For example, Washington reports a median salary of $51,590, Massachusetts $49,240, Colorado $47,130, New York $47,100, and California $46,520. At the metro level, pay can be higher still: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $54,640, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows $52,590. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area reports $49,980, while the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area reports $47,620. These differences indicate that location choices can have a significant impact on earning potential for people in this occupation.
There are about 862,000 shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks employed nationally, reflecting a large workforce. However, projected employment growth for this occupation is -7.7%, indicating a decline in overall jobs over the projection period. Even with this negative growth, there are an estimated 69,000 annual openings. These openings can come from workers changing jobs, retiring, or leaving the labor force, creating opportunities for new entrants and career changers. The combination of a large existing employment base and ongoing annual openings means that, despite the projected decline, positions will continue to be available. People considering this field should factor both the negative growth rate and the steady flow of openings into their planning, especially if they are thinking about long-term stability, potential relocation, or transitioning later into related roles.
Location plays a clear role in opportunity for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks. Among states, California has the highest employment at 88,760 and a median salary of $46,520, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York both combine mid-range employment levels (14,370 and 30,750) with median salaries of $49,240 and $47,100 and opportunity scores above 65. Colorado and Washington also stand out; Washington in particular has the highest listed state median salary at $51,590, with 19,500 employed and an opportunity score of 56.29. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the strongest opportunity score at 77.42 and the highest median salary at $54,640. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 38,970. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer relatively strong combinations of pay, employment, and opportunity scores.
The typical education for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this occupation accessible to many students and adults looking to enter the workforce or change careers. While formal education requirements are relatively modest, success in this role draws on a broad skill set. Physical strength and stamina are important, alongside fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude. Being detail oriented and comfortable with mathematics supports accurate inventory tracking and record-keeping. Computers and information technology skills are also highlighted, reflecting the use of digital systems in many workplaces. Customer service, writing and reading, and project management skills help clerks interact effectively, document information, and coordinate tasks. Leadership capabilities can be valuable for those who oversee parts of the shipping or inventory process. Building and demonstrating these skills can improve job readiness and support progression within this field or toward related occupations such as those listed as similar careers.
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