All About Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
Job Description: 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.
List of Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk Job Duties
- Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
- Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
- Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
- 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.
- Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
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What Every Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk Should Know
These are the skills Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks say are the most useful in their careers:
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:
- Disposition Clerk
- Ship Runner
- Return to Vendor (RTV)
- Shipper and Receiving
- Sheet Writer
Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk Employment Estimates
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. The BLS estimates 67,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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 average yearly salary of a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk ranges between $22,900 and $50,380.

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 different U.S. states?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Becoming a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk
Education needed to be a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk?

Where do Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks Work?

Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Shipping, Receiving, or Traffic Clerk in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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