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Shipping assistants process incoming and outgoing shipments and assist the shipping manager. Shipping companies and other businesses that move large amounts of stock hire shipping assistants to work full-time hours, primarily during daytime shifts. Shipping assistants mostly work in warehouses and are rarely required to travel to perform their regular job duties. Shipping assistants report to the shipping manager and work within a collaborative environment.

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Shipping Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Shipping assistants perform various daily job tasks depending on the materials being shipped into and out of the warehouse. These core duties, however, are the same in all work environments:

Inspect Items

Shipping assistants visually inspect incoming and outgoing items for signs of damage.

Package Materials

Shipping assistants package materials to be shipped out according to company protocol.

Fill Out Paperwork

Shipping assistants log incoming and outgoing materials and fill out all associated paperwork.

Maintain Inventory

Shipping assistants manage inventory of shipping supplies and order new items as needed.

Receive Deliveries

Shipping assistants accept deliveries, log them into the inventory system, and store them properly within the warehouse.

Prepare Shipments

Shipping assistants pull items to be shipped from the warehouse and prepare them for delivery. This includes creating shipping labels for all outgoing packages.

Clean

Shipping assistants keep warehouse and work areas clean and organized. This includes breaking down boxes and removing trash.

Shipping Assistant Skills and Qualifications

Shipping assistants are detail-oriented, well-organized professionals who keep track of shipments and inventory, and assist the shipping manager with all tasks. Employers prefer candidates with the following skills:

  • Physical fitness - shipping assistants need physical strength to lift heavy items, walk the warehouse floor, and stand on their feet for hours at a time
  • Computer skills - some basic computer skills are essential for shipping assistants to log information into digital systems
  • Communication skills - shipping assistants use good communication skills to collaborate with the rest of the warehouse team and coordinate deliveries and shipments
  • Time management - strong time management skills are a must-have for shipping assistants, who prepare shipments for pickup deadlines
  • Attention to detail - shipping assistants must be detail-oriented when inspecting shipments and deliveries for signs of damage
  • Organization skills - shipping assistants use organization skills to keep shipments and deliveries within their assigned areas, maintain warehouse cleanliness, and manage shipping inventory items
  • Multitasking - because multiple shipments and deliveries come into and go out of the warehouse in a single day, shipping assistants must be good multitaskers

Tools of the Trade

Shipping assistants work regularly with the following tools:

Packing materials (boxes, tape, shipping labels)

Scan guns

Pallets

Shipping Assistant Education and Training

A majority of employers require shipping assistants to have a high school diploma or GED in order to pursue this career path. Many employers also require shipping assistants to have forklift certification or to obtain forklift certification once hired. No additional training or special education is required for this entry-level job.

Because this job is entry level, shipping assistants receive training from employers. This training period varies by employer and may last for several weeks. During training, shipping assistants are closely monitored by the shipping manager while they learn how to perform their basic job duties.

Shipping Assistant Salary and Outlook

PayScale data shows that shipping assistants earn $12.84 in median hourly pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hand laborers and material movers earn a median income of $25,870 yearly and $12.44 hourly. Hand laborers and material movers move stock and pack materials, as do shipping assistants. The BLS expects employment in this field to grow 7 percent through 2026, which is as fast as the national average.

Most employers provide shipping assistants with major healthcare coverage, which may include dental and vision benefits. Once employed for three months to one year, depending on company policy, shipping assistants receive paid vacation leave.

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Helpful Resources

Learn more about the shipping industry, get shipping industry news updates, find career tips, and read up on job strategies for shipping assistants with these helpful books and websites:

International Chamber of Shipping

look for jobs, get shipping news updates, and learn more about the shipping industry at the ICS website, an international site for all shipping professionalsShipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerk Career: The Insider's Guide to Finding a Job at an Amazing Firm, Acing the Interview, and Getting Promoted learn how to find shipping jobs, perform well in the interview process, and land the position in this easytoread guide that contains examples and stepbystep tips

World Shipping Council

learn more about the shipping industry, get up to date on industry issues, and find resources of all kinds at this website for shipping assistants and other shipping professionals around the world

Warehouse Management: A Complete Guide to Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Costs in the Modern Warehouse

learn tips and techniques for warehouse management and discover strategies for more efficient warehouse operations with this book, which covers all the basics of working in a warehouse environment

The Resource for Warehouse Logistics

browse the IWLA website to find upcoming events, education resources, news, and information for warehouse workers of all types

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