Shipping Clerk Careers
Transporting goods from the manufacturer to the receiver is just one part of the process of ordering products. Such orders must be tracked, so the correct products are selected, packaged, and distributed properly. The products must also either be deducted or added to inventory records. These functions are typically performed by shipping clerks.
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Basics
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Shipping careers consist of different positions. Shipping clerks specifically track outgoing shipments. They prepare shipping documents and mailing labels, and ensure that orders are properly recorded in computers systems or manual files.
Receiving clerks verify incoming shipments, ensuring they have correct documentation and are routed to the proper storage area or department. Finally, traffic clerks are in charge of all incoming and outgoing shipments, and perform most of the duties of shipping and receiving clerks. Smaller shops typically use traffic clerks. Larger warehouses may not only have separate shipping and receiving clerks, but divide them further according to product or destination.
Qualifications
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Shipping clerks need endurance, strength, communication skills and attention to detail. They must also be able to work at repetitive tasks efficiently and consistenly. A high-school diploma is the typical requirement for becoming a shipping clerk, since many learn their tasks on the job. However, those with training in computers or other electronic business machines have an advantage because the job is becoming more automated. Otherwise, longer periods of non-productive training are needed.
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Salaries
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Shipping clerks make a median hourly wage of $13.58 or $28,250. The lowest-earning 10 percent earn $8.98 or $18,680, while the highest 10 percent make $21.14 or $43,980. The best-paying employer for shipping clerks is the postal service, which pays $26.06 or $54,200. However, the industries with the most jobs are couriers and express delivery services, with pay $16.31 or $33,930. These figures are as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Opportunities
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The BLS sees jobs decreasing by seven percent from 2008 to 2018 because many companies now use scanners and computers to ship and receive orders. These technologies perform many of the jobs once reserved only for shipping clerks. Warehouses are also becoming more automated, while hand-held RFID and barcode readers multiply the productivity of existing shipping clerks. The best job opportunities exist in smaller warehouses, terminals and distribution centers, were many processes are still performed by hand. Shipping clerks can be promoted to supervisory positions, or move into related areas such as purchasing or logistics.
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References
- Photo Credit shipping dock image by Neelrad from Fotolia.com
