Order Clerks
SOC code 43-4151 · O*NET-SOC 43-4151.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Order Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$46,170
a year
Hourly
$22.20
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$48,220
$23.19 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,660 – $54,310
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,530 – $63,530
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
75,200
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,530
- $17.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,660
- $19.07/hr
- Median percentile
- $46,170
- $22.20/hr
- 75th percentile
- $54,310
- $26.11/hr
- 90th percentile
- $63,530
- $30.54/hr
What does an order clerk do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.
- 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.
How to become an order clerk
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 63% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)63%
- Post-Secondary Certificate24%
- Bachelor's Degree12%
- Some College Courses1%
Common questions
How much does an order clerk earn?
The national median is $46,170 a year. The full range runs from $35,530 at the 10th percentile to $63,530 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an order clerk without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.5/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Administrative3.7/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
- Sales and Marketing3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.