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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Shipping/Receiving Clerk salaries in 2026 span a wider range than most people realize. The weighted national median is $44,228, but geography reshapes that number dramatically. In Sunnyvale, the median is $80,560. We analyzed BLS-sourced salary distributions across 288 U.S. cities and 46 states to map the complete compensation landscape.
A career as a Shipping/Receiving Clerk sits at the intersection of Office & Admin and Administrative. Most professionals enter with High school diploma, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is warehouse. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$49,020 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Shipping/Receiving Clerk in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $80,560 — $49,020 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($31,540). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
The salary distribution for Shipping/Receiving Clerks reveals a $30,960 spread from entry to senior. At $44,228, the median sits $36,139 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $31,844 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $62,804 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $75,240 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $31,793 (average of the bottom 3). That $43,447 delta is real money — $3,621/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Shipping/Receiving Clerk in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $80,560 — $49,020 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($31,540). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $31,844 | $44,228 | $62,804 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £17,503 | £24,309 | £34,520 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$25,624 | CA$35,589 | CA$50,536 |
| Australia | 13 | A$28,065 | A$38,979 | A$55,350 |
| Sweden | 24 | 180,710 kr | 250,986 kr | 356,400 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $38,434 | $53,381 | $75,801 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $37,141 | $51,585 | $73,251 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $36,936 | $51,300 | $72,846 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $34,200 | $47,500 | $67,450 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $33,790 | $46,930 | $66,641 |
| Washington | 8 | $33,140 | $46,028 | $65,359 |
| New York | 5 | $31,191 | $43,320 | $61,515 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $31,190 | $43,320 | $61,514 |
| Florida | 22 | $30,954 | $42,992 | $61,048 |
| Colorado | 11 | $30,419 | $42,249 | $59,994 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $30,370 | $42,180 | $59,896 |
| Nevada | 5 | $30,315 | $42,104 | $59,788 |
| Arizona | 12 | $30,164 | $41,895 | $59,491 |
| Oregon | 5 | $30,096 | $41,800 | $59,356 |
| Idaho | 3 | $30,005 | $41,673 | $59,176 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $29,768 | $41,344 | $58,708 |
| Utah | 4 | $29,686 | $41,230 | $58,547 |
| Virginia | 7 | $29,197 | $40,551 | $57,583 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $28,819 | $40,027 | $56,838 |
| Alaska | 1 | $28,728 | $39,900 | $56,658 |
| Illinois | 5 | $28,400 | $39,444 | $56,011 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $27,694 | $38,464 | $54,619 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $27,360 | $38,000 | $53,960 |
| Montana | 1 | $27,360 | $38,000 | $53,960 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $27,269 | $37,873 | $53,780 |
| Texas | 40 | $27,134 | $37,687 | $53,515 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $27,087 | $37,620 | $53,421 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $26,950 | $37,430 | $53,151 |
| Georgia | 6 | $26,858 | $37,303 | $52,971 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $26,813 | $37,240 | $52,881 |
| Kansas | 4 | $26,676 | $37,050 | $52,611 |
| Michigan | 6 | $26,585 | $36,923 | $52,431 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $26,266 | $36,480 | $51,802 |
| Maryland | 1 | $26,266 | $36,480 | $51,802 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $25,992 | $36,100 | $51,262 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $25,992 | $36,100 | $51,262 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $25,308 | $35,150 | $49,913 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $25,171 | $34,960 | $49,643 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $24,829 | $34,485 | $48,969 |
| Missouri | 4 | $24,829 | $34,485 | $48,969 |
| Alabama | 5 | $24,733 | $34,352 | $48,780 |
| Indiana | 3 | $24,350 | $33,820 | $48,024 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $24,350 | $33,820 | $48,024 |
| Iowa | 2 | $24,077 | $33,440 | $47,485 |
| Ohio | 6 | $24,031 | $33,377 | $47,395 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $22,982 | $31,920 | $45,326 |
At the state level, California leads with an average Shipping/Receiving Clerk median of $53,381 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($51,585) and Hawaii ($51,300). Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $31,920 and $33,440. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($80,560 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $38,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $80,560 | 212 | $38,000 | $50,906 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $75,240 | 198 | $38,000 | $47,871 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $69,920 | 184 | $38,000 | $44,836 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $68,780 | 181 | $38,000 | $44,186 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $67,640 | 178 | $38,000 | $43,536 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $67,260 | 177 | $38,000 | $43,319 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $67,260 | 177 | $38,000 | $43,319 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $65,740 | 173 | $38,000 | $42,452 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $65,740 | 173 | $38,000 | $42,452 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $64,220 | 169 | $38,000 | $41,585 |
From a career planning perspective, Shipping/Receiving Clerk offers a $30,960 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires High school diploma. Day-to-day, expect warehouse work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for Shipping/Receiving Clerks is $44,228 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $31,844, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $62,804.
The highest-paying city for Shipping/Receiving Clerks is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $80,560. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($80,560), Santa Clara ($75,240), Irvine ($69,920). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Shipping/Receiving Clerk salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $31,540. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Shipping/Receiving Clerks (10th percentile) average $31,844 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $58,003. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Shipping/Receiving Clerks average $62,804 nationally — $30,960 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Shipping/Receiving Clerks can earn up to $114,395.
The top-paying states for Shipping/Receiving Clerks are California ($53,381 median), Massachusetts ($51,585 median), Hawaii ($51,300 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Shipping/Receiving Clerk involves High school diploma. The field is in the Administrative sector (Office & Admin), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically warehouse.
With a national median of $44,228 and representation across 288 metro areas, Shipping/Receiving Clerk offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $30,960 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.