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Order Clerks

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $46,170/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$35,530$63,530

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -17.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 8,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Some college, no degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionService OrientationCritical ThinkingMonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMathematicsActive Learning
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageAdministrativeMathematicsSales and Marketing
Core tasks

• Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.

• Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.

• Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs.

• Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications.

• Receive and respond to customer complaints.

• Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.

• Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.

• Compute total charges for merchandise or services and shipping charges.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Order Clerks?

The median pay for Order Clerks is $46,170 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Order Clerks?

Employment for Order Clerks is projected to change -17.2% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Order Clerks?

Typical entry-level education: Some college, no degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Order Clerks?

About 8,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.