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What Does it Take to Be an Order Clerk?

Position Description 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.

Life As an Order Clerk: What Do They Do?

  • Notify departments when supplies of specific items are low, or when orders would deplete available supplies.
  • Adjust inventory records to reflect product movement.
  • Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers’ needs.
  • Receive and respond to customer complaints.
  • Attempt to sell additional merchandise or services to prospective or current customers by telephone or through visits.
  • Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.

What an Order Clerk Should Know

When polled, Order Clerks say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Other Order Clerk Job Titles

  • Clerk
  • Merchandise Processor
  • Back Order Clerk
  • Order Entry Representative
  • Order Administrator

Job Opportunities for Order Clerks

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 179,000 jobs in the United States for Order Clerk. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Order Clerk. There will be an estimated 19,400 positions for Order Clerk per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Order Clerk are Utah, Nevada, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Maine, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Order Clerk Salary

Order Clerks make between $22,280 and $53,240 a year.

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Order Clerks who work in Washington, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Order Clerks make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $30,900
Alaska $33,140
Arizona $32,560
Arkansas $32,070
California $38,160
Colorado $37,550
Connecticut $39,670
Delaware $35,220
District of Columbia $38,140
Florida $33,710
Georgia $34,410
Hawaii $36,550
Idaho $37,230
Illinois $35,360
Iowa $36,060
Kansas $32,030
Kentucky $29,040
Louisiana $29,610
Maine $30,990
Maryland $34,770
Massachusetts $39,380
Michigan $32,770
Minnesota $34,820
Mississippi $32,150
Missouri $34,510
Montana $28,700
Nebraska $31,090
Nevada $36,100
New Hampshire $36,210
New Jersey $37,950
New Mexico $32,740
New York $34,490
North Carolina $33,760
North Dakota $36,900
Ohio $33,560
Oklahoma $31,070
Oregon $35,980
Pennsylvania $32,670
Rhode Island $37,580
South Carolina $34,910
South Dakota $33,380
Tennessee $33,540
Texas $36,320
Utah $31,520
Vermont $37,560
Virginia $34,800
Washington $44,980
West Virginia $30,030
Wisconsin $35,840
Wyoming $39,960

What Tools & Technology do Order Clerks Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Order Clerks:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite

Becoming an Order Clerk

Education needed to be an Order Clerk:

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What work experience do I need to become an Order Clerk?

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Where do Order Clerks Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Order Clerks employed by various industries.

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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