How Much Does an Inventory Specialist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,260
Inventory specialists in the U.S. earn a median of $45,260 a year, or $21.76 an hour. Half of inventory specialists earn more than $45,260 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $62,190.
Pay percentiles for inventory specialists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.66 | $34,650 |
| 25th | $18.37 | $38,200 |
| 50th (median) | $21.76 | $45,260 |
| 75th | $24.79 | $51,570 |
| 90th | $29.90 | $62,190 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks (SOC 43-5071). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for inventory specialists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,590 | $24.80 | +14% |
| District of Columbia | $49,660 | $23.87 | +10% |
| Hawaii | $49,660 | $23.87 | +10% |
| Massachusetts | $49,240 | $23.67 | +9% |
| Vermont | $49,080 | $23.60 | +8% |
| New Hampshire | $47,960 | $23.06 | +6% |
| Alaska | $47,900 | $23.03 | +6% |
| Minnesota | $47,890 | $23.03 | +6% |
| Iowa | $47,590 | $22.88 | +5% |
| Oregon | $47,540 | $22.86 | +5% |
| United States | $45,260 | $21.76 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many inventory specialists are there?
BLS counts about 816,870 inventory specialists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks”. The most jobs are in California (88,760), Texas (87,280) and Florida (44,040).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,810, higher than the median of $45,260.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,772
- Biweekly
- $1,741
- Weekly
- $870
- Daily (8 hours)
- $174
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do inventory specialists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for inventory specialists is $21.76. The middle 50% earn between $18.37 and $24.79 an hour.
Which state pays inventory specialists the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for inventory specialists at $51,590, +14% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for inventory specialists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of inventory specialists earn less than $34,650 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.