How Much Does a Shipping Manager Make? (2025)
A shipping manager's main responsibility is to ensure that all of a company's goods are transported in a timely and orderly fashion. They're also responsible for planning and overseeing staff to ensure a more efficient operation.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported a 9% job outlook for shipping managers, which is faster than the average as well. This directly coincides with the average yearly salary of $97,500 per Salary.com's data as of April 14, 2025.
Learn more about the salary trend for shipping managers, top-paying cities in the US, and some FAQs about the occupation in this salary guide.
What is The Average Shipping Manager's Salary?
As mentioned above, the salary of a shipping manager is $97,500 per year. As of April 14, 2025, shipping manager's salaries range from $78,396 to $124,055, with the majority earning between $87,500 to $111,400.
2025 Shipping Manager salary: $97,500 ($48 per hour)
A shipping manager's average monthly salary is $8,275, while the average weekly pay is $1,910. Meanwhile, the salary of a shipping manager per hour is $48, according to the report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38 | $1,531 | $6,635 | $78,396 |
| 25th Percentile | $43 | $1,712 | $7,417 | $87,500 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $48 | $1,910 | $8,275 | $97,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $54 | $2,142 | $9,283 | $111,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $59 | $2,354 | $10,201 | $124,055 |
Shipping Manager Salaries State by State
The salary for shipping managers differs across US states based on factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salary for Shipping Managers in the United States are West Virginia, South Dakota, and Mississippi with $67,100, $67,000, and $66,500, respectively.
Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual salary for shipping managers are the District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts with $108,000, $107,600, and $106,200, respectively.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $89,600 |
| Alaska | $105,600 |
| Arizona | $95,100 |
| Arkansas | $88,100 |
| California | $107,600 |
| Colorado | $99,500 |
| Connecticut | $104,200 |
| Delaware | $98,800 |
| District of Columbia | $108,000 |
| Florida | $92,300 |
| Georgia | $94,100 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 |
| Idaho | $91,100 |
| Illinois | $99,400 |
| Indiana | $93,600 |
| Iowa | $93,400 |
| Kansas | $92,900 |
| Kentucky | $91,800 |
| Louisiana | $92,800 |
| Maine | $95,100 |
| Maryland | $100,600 |
| Massachusetts | $106,200 |
| Michigan | $96,100 |
| Minnesota | $99,800 |
| Mississippi | $87,000 |
| Missouri | $92,700 |
| Montana | $92,100 |
| Nebraska | $91,900 |
| Nevada | $96,500 |
| New Hampshire | $98,600 |
| New Jersey | $105,700 |
| New Mexico | $90,400 |
| New York | $103,700 |
| North Carolina | $92,700 |
| North Dakota | $96,400 |
| Ohio | $95,000 |
| Oklahoma | $90,200 |
| Oregon | $99,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,100 |
| Rhode Island | $101,100 |
| South Carolina | $91,400 |
| South Dakota | $88,700 |
| Tennessee | $91,200 |
| Texas | $95,100 |
| Utah | $93,400 |
| Vermont | $95,700 |
| Virginia | $98,200 |
| Washington | $105,800 |
| West Virginia | $87,800 |
| Wisconsin | $96,000 |
| Wyoming | $93,600 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Shipping Managers?
Shipping managers' salaries also vary by city due to the differences in the standard of living, local demand for occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for shipping managers, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Certain cities such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus also show signs of increased demand for shipping manager occupations:
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $123,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $121,800 |
| Oakland, CA | $119,100 |
| New York, NY | $113,000 |
| Queens Village, NY | $112,300 |
| Paramus, NJ | $111,500 |
How Does Experience Affect a Shipping Manager's Salary?
Having more experience gives shipping managers an advantage over their peers along with having an important role in increasing their salary.
Salary.com reports that an entry-level shipping manager earns an average annual income of $93,769. Having 2 more years of experience can increase a Shipping Manager's salary to $94,216.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary of shipping managers could increase to about $95,709. Specialist and expert-level shipping managers can earn up to $97,500 and $101,027, respectively.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Shipping Manager | $93,769 |
| Intermediate Level Shipping Manager | $94,216 |
| Senior Level Shipping Manager | $95,709 |
| Specialist Level Shipping Manager | $97,500 |
| Expert Level Shipping Manager | $101,027 |
How to Increase Salary as a Shipping Manager?
Although the shipping manager role usually doesn't require a bachelor's degree, having great organizational skills along with a good background in warehousing can help aspiring shipping managers earn more.
Below are some of the common skills and advancements needed for a salary raise as a shipping manager.
Shipping Manager Advancements
- Education: Although a bachelor's degree isn't required for the most part, potential shipping managers should have basic knowledge of English, Mathematics, and Economics. However, most employers are looking for shipping managers with a bachelor's degree, ideally in either business, transportation, or engineering fields.
- Experience: Most shipping managers need at least 3 years of professional experience before being promoted to an executive position. However, most employers require 0 to 2 years of experience before hiring one.
- Acquiring the needed certifications: Although it's not required, acquiring a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification can reassure employers that they're hiring top talent. It would also be of benefit for shipping managers to have a commercial driver's license as well.
Shipping Manager Skills
Gaining sought-after skills for a shipping manager is an effective way to earn a better salary and unlock more career opportunities.
The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand shipping manager skills are knowledge of spreadsheet software and properly evaluating performance metrics, with 25.32% and 20.16%, respectively.
On the other hand, essential skills such as transportation regulations and order management can increase the salary for shipping managers by 9.78% and 8.70%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Regulations | 19.86% | +9.78% |
| Order Management | 19.96% | +8.70% |
| Safety Management | 19.66% | +7.44% |
| Performance Metrics | 20.16% | +6.75% |
| Spreadsheet Software | 25.32% | +6.86% |
| Order Processing | 20.06% | +6.39% |
What are the FAQs About Shipping Manager Salaries?
Here are some common questions about a shipping manager's salary:
What does a shipping manager do?
A shipping manager is mainly responsible for creating distribution management plans that can ensure that their company's products are shipped on time.
What skills should shipping managers possess?
As mentioned above, an ideal candidate for the shipping manager role should know transportation regulations, manage orders and safety, along with properly assessing performance metrics. However, most employers are looking for shipping managers who know how to manage transportation and distribution.
How much does a shipping manager earn in the U.S.?
A shipping manager with the minimum experience earns $78,396, or $38 per hour in the United States, as of April 14, 2025. The highest pay can go up to $124,055 for those who belong in an organization's 90th percentile.
