Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks
SOC Code: 43-5071
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks carries a 60% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $43,190 and -7.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 862,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 60% AI exposure, Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks sits 23 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 94% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks has ai exposure of 60%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks (SOC 43-5071) carries an AI exposure score of 60%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 862,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -7.7% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $43,190, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks. Public companies with meaningful exposure to this occupation, such as Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Price T Rowe Group Inc, inherit a share of the same automation risk through their industry classification. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
- 2. Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
- 3. Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
- 4. Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
- 5. Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
- 6. Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
- 7. Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
- 8. Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
- 9. Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
- 10. Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks?
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks has an AI exposure score of 60%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks is projected to decline by 7.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 862,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks?
Key skills for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks earn?
The median annual wage for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks is $43,190, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks?
The typical entry-level education for Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks?
Public companies with significant Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks workforce shares include Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Price T Rowe Group Inc, Popular, Inc., among others. These employers are mapped by industry classification (SIC/NAICS) to BLS occupation-industry employment distributions. See the full employer rankings for AI displacement risk grades.
Employers with High AI Exposure in This Occupation Group
Public companies whose industry occupation mix includes a significant share of Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks roles.
| Company | AI Grade | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | D | 50.5% |
| Price T Rowe Group Inc | D | 50.5% |
| Popular, Inc. | D | 50.5% |
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc | D | 50.5% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co | D | 50.5% |
| Bank Of America Corp /De/ | D | 50.5% |
| Hsbc Holdings PLC | D | 50.5% |
| Unitedhealth Group Inc | D | 50.5% |
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).