Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment. Duties include assembling, addressing, stamping, and shipping merchandise or material; receiving, unpacking, verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material; and arranging for the transportation of products.
U.S. Workers
857,630
Median Salary
$43,190
10-Year Growth
-7.7%
Annual Openings
69,300
Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
11 of 11 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
AI: Fully automatable - Recording shipment data (weight, charges, damages, discrepancies) is readily automatable using sensors, scanning, and integration with accounting/record systems.
Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can generate and populate work orders, bills of lading, and shipping orders from order/system data and regulatory templates.
Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
AI: Fully automatable - Integration with carrier APIs and automated messaging allow AI to make bookings and issue instructions without human intervention for routine shipments.
Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
AI: Fully automatable - Algorithms and integrated carrier data can select optimal shipping methods, routes, and rates automatically for most shipments.
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
AI: Fully automatable - These computations are deterministic and readily automated using software and price lists.
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
AI: Fully automatable - Given emissions factors and transport data, AI can estimate and compare the environmental impact of routes and methods, though accuracy depends on input quality.
Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
AI: Partial - Verifying shipment contents against manifests can be automated with barcodes/RFID and vision systems in many settings, but varied packaging, non-standard items, and edge cases still need manual checks.
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
AI: Partial - AI can draft routine correspondence and propose resolutions, but complex negotiations and physical inspections typically require humans.
Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
AI: Partial - Robotic packaging systems can automate many packing, sealing, labeling, and postage tasks, but varied items and fine manual dexterity still require human workers in many settings.
Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
AI: Partial - Autonomous mobile robots and conveyors can route materials within facilities but many deliveries, especially irregular loads or ad hoc routes, still need human handling.
Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
AI: Partial - Inventory systems can automatically requisition and track shipping materials, but physical storing and replenishment often require human labor.