Mid-Level

Aircraft Shipping Checker

A pallet of parts ready to fly — and the aircraft shipping checker verifies it before it leaves the dock. Part numbers, quantities, FAA paperwork, and packaging integrity all confirmed against the bill of lading.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
I
E
A
S
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Aircraft Shipping Checkers
Employment concentration · ~177 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Aircraft Shipping Checker

The shipping dock and the parts paperwork anchor the day — checking inbound shipments against purchase orders, verifying outbound packs against FAA 8130 tags and shipping documentation, confirming hazmat compliance on parts that need it. You're often between the warehouse crew and the freight forwarder. Discrepancies caught and shipping accuracy anchor the visible measures.

The harder part is often the paperwork mismatch that surfaces during inspection — a part number off by one digit, an 8130 tag with the wrong serial, a shipment short by two units. Variance across employers is real: at major aerospace MROs and OEMs shipping checkers work within structured FAA-compliance programs; at smaller parts distributors and repair stations the checker carries broader scope across receiving and shipping.

It fits people who are detail-precise, paperwork-comfortable, and tolerant of warehouse-environment work. The trade-off is the documentation rigor required for every aircraft part — getting it wrong can ground an aircraft. FAA familiarity and aerospace-industry credentials anchor advancement.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Aircraft Shipping Checkers (SOC 43-5111.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Aircraft Shipping Checker career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$35K–$60K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
50K
U.S. Employment
-4.8%
10yr Growth
5K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSpeakingActive ListeningCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisService OrientationJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-5111.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.