Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.
Order Clerks
SOC: 43-4151 O*NET: 43-4151.00
Median Salary
$46,170
per year
Job Growth
📉 -17.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.
What does a Order Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,530
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,660
25th percentile
Median
$46,170
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,310
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,530
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,530
25th
$39,660
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,170
Mean: $48,220
75th
$54,310
90th
$63,530
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,000 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,660 and $54,310
- •Salary spread is 31.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 75,200 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:78,900
Top Industries
Wholesale Trade29.6%
Retail Trade21.1%
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods18%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-17.5%
Annual Openings:6,300
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)78,900
Current
2035 (Projected)65,100
-17.5%
-13,800
Employment Change
-17.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Order Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
12,390 jobs$47,2901.41x
Texas
5,180 jobs$44,2800.76x
Washington
4,300 jobs$47,9902.51x
Ohio
3,810 jobs$46,1201.42x
Illinois
3,540 jobs$47,6701.20x
New York
3,530 jobs$48,3200.75x
Florida
3,270 jobs$44,3800.68x
North Carolina
2,990 jobs$46,0601.25x
New Jersey
2,640 jobs$46,2701.27x
Pennsylvania
2,570 jobs$46,8400.88x
Michigan
2,290 jobs$44,2401.08x
Tennessee
2,260 jobs$39,1601.43x
Oklahoma
2,210 jobs$45,8502.68x
Colorado
1,970 jobs$49,5301.42x
Indiana
1,800 jobs$44,3401.16x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Speech Recognition
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Production and Processing
94%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
Computers and Electronics
86%
#8
Reading Comprehension
86%
#9
Near Vision
82%
#10
Service Orientation
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Speech Recognition
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Production and Processing
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Computers and Electronics
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Speech Recognition
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Production and Processing
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Computers and Electronics
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Parts Salespersons100%
5 shared skills
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Administrative
- →Mathematics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Production and Processing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Production and Processing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Order Clerks
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechApple Safari
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Edge
🔥 Hot TechMozilla Firefox
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
SAP software
Apple Safari
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Inform customers by mail or telephone of order information, such as unit prices, shipping dates, and any anticipated delays.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Receive and respond to customer complaints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Direct specified departments or units to prepare and ship orders to designated locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Attempt to sell additional merchandise or services to prospective or current customers by telephone or through visits.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
File copies of orders received, or post orders on records.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Order Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Order Clerks professionals typically have a CER Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
EEnterprising
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Order Clerks
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.73
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.73
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.72
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.71
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.66
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Social Orientation
4.7
Concern for Others
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Leadership
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Order Clerks.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Order Clerks
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.3k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.6k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.9k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.9k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
1.4k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.1k program completions/year
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
974 program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
844 program completions/year