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Career overview · SOC 43-4151

Order Clerks

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.

Also called: Hub Associate · Materials Specialist · Order Analyst · Order Clerk · Order Entry Administrator (Order Entry Admin) · Order Entry Representative (Order Entry Rep)

Median pay (national)
$44,660
$33,530–$61,680 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
83,420
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-17.2%
~8,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Some college, no degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for order clerks shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $61,680 versus $33,530 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $44,660 leaves roughly 38% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -17.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 8,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $54,350, +22% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $29,850 — a 82% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Order management software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.
  • Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications.
  • Receive and respond to customer complaints.
  • Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.
  • Inform customers by mail or telephone of order information, such as unit prices, shipping dates, and any anticipated delays.
  • File copies of orders received, or post orders on records.
  • Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.
  • Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs.
  • Compute total charges for merchandise or services and shipping charges.
  • Notify departments when supplies of specific items are low, or when orders would deplete available supplies.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Order management software
  • Apple Safari
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • SAP software
  • Automated manifest system software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • IBM Sterling Configure, Price, Quote
  • Inventory management systems
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft System Center
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Warehouse management system WMS

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Administrative
  • Mathematics
  • Sales and Marketing