What Does it Take to Be a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk?
Job Description & Duties Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment. Duties include assembling, addressing, stamping, and shipping merchandise or material; receiving, unpacking, verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material; and arranging for the transportation of products.
A Day in the Life of a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk
- Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
- Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
- Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
- Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
- Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
- Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk?
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Return to Vendor (RTV)
- Shipping Coordinator
- Routing Clerk
- Distribution Coordinator
- Distributing Clerk
What Kind of Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 681,400 jobs for Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk. There will be an estimated 67,200 positions for Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk per year.
The states with the most job growth for Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk are Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Mexico, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk
The salary for Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks ranges between about $22,900 and $50,380 a year.
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,930 |
| Alaska | $43,540 |
| Arizona | $34,230 |
| Arkansas | $33,090 |
| California | $36,320 |
| Colorado | $34,990 |
| Connecticut | $37,900 |
| Delaware | $31,330 |
| District of Columbia | $49,550 |
| Florida | $32,660 |
| Georgia | $33,830 |
| Hawaii | $39,160 |
| Idaho | $33,700 |
| Illinois | $35,950 |
| Indiana | $33,480 |
| Iowa | $35,980 |
| Kansas | $33,960 |
| Kentucky | $34,870 |
| Louisiana | $33,660 |
| Maine | $34,590 |
| Maryland | $36,420 |
| Massachusetts | $39,840 |
| Michigan | $35,110 |
| Minnesota | $37,500 |
| Mississippi | $30,130 |
| Missouri | $34,700 |
| Montana | $33,920 |
| Nebraska | $34,740 |
| Nevada | $35,720 |
| New Hampshire | $34,280 |
| New Jersey | $36,480 |
| New Mexico | $32,360 |
| New York | $37,480 |
| North Carolina | $32,930 |
| North Dakota | $35,870 |
| Ohio | $34,020 |
| Oklahoma | $33,790 |
| Oregon | $36,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,670 |
| Rhode Island | $38,000 |
| South Carolina | $34,240 |
| South Dakota | $33,140 |
| Tennessee | $32,530 |
| Texas | $32,750 |
| Utah | $32,250 |
| Vermont | $34,320 |
| Virginia | $35,070 |
| Washington | $40,120 |
| West Virginia | $36,030 |
| Wisconsin | $36,840 |
| Wyoming | $34,770 |
What Tools do Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- SAP
- IBM Notes
- FileMaker Pro
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Citrix
- Warehouse management system WMS
- Aestiva Purchase Order
- Bill of lading software
- Exact MAX
- ADi SmartBOL
- DM2 Bills of Lading Software
- FedEx Ship Manager
How to Become a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk
What kind of Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk?
Where Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks Are Employed
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.
Visit School
BusinessDegreeCentral.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.