Mid-Level

Distribution Clerk

Distribution clerks handle the paperwork and processing for distribution operations โ€” managing manifests, tracking shipments, and supporting the operational flow.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
E
S
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Distribution Clerks
Employment concentration ยท ~400 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 Distribution Clerk

Workdays involve steady processing work โ€” entering manifests, tracking shipments, processing receipts, and maintaining records. The pace tends to follow shipping volume, and most clerks adjust their pacing to match the loading or receiving cycles of the operation.

Collaboration usually involves warehouse staff, drivers, customers, and sometimes carriers. What's harder than expected is the precision required โ€” small errors in distribution paperwork create real problems downstream, including misrouted shipments and disputed deliveries that take weeks to unwind.

People who thrive tend to be methodical, accurate, and comfortable in fast-paced operational settings. If you find satisfaction in clean records that support good logistics, the role often suits you. People who need quiet office work or who can't handle the operational pace usually find distribution clerical work harder than office clerical roles in calmer settings.

SupportModerate
RelationshipsModerate
Working ConditionsLower
IndependenceLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
โœฆ Editorial โ€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape โ€” 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 Distribution Clerks (SOC 43-5051.00, 43-5053.00, 43-5071.00, 43-9051.00), not just this title ยท BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Distribution Clerk career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit โ€” and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
โœฆ Editorial โ€” 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 โ€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29Kโ€“$74K
Salary Range
10th โ€“ 90th percentile
1.1M
U.S. Employment
-6.55%
10yr Growth
90K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingSpeakingService OrientationMonitoringActive ListeningReading ComprehensionReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingReading Comprehension
O*NET OnLine ยท Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-5051.0043-5053.0043-5071.0043-9051.00

Navigate your career with clarity

Truest gives you tools to understand your strengths, explore roles that fit, and plan your next move.

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