Order clerks

SOC Code: 43-4151
Also known as:
Ad Taker (Advertising Taker), Advertising Clerk (Ad Clerk), Advertising Space Clerk (Ad Space Clerk), Back Order Clerk, Blood Bank Credit Clerk
Median Annual Salary
$44,660
-17.2% growth (2024-2034)
8K
Openings/Year
90K
Current Jobs

What Order clerks 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.

💰 Salary

$44,660
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-17.2%
Decline

🎓 Education

Some college, no degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

8K
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

89,500

Projected Employment (2034)

74,100

Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Writing

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Apple Safari Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Edge Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

Some college, no degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Order clerks

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a order clerks:

Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation

3,621 degrees awarded • 27 colleges offer this program

General Office Occupations and Clerical Services

1,543 degrees awarded • 116 colleges offer this program

Receptionist

87 degrees awarded • 11 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Order clerks

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become order clerks.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Bob Jones University Greenville, SC 15 B
2 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH 1,767 C+
3 Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GA 235 C+
4 Diversified Vocational College Los Angeles, CA 97 C+
5 Panola College Carthage, TX 76 C+
6 Davis Technical College Kaysville, UT 45 C+
7 Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, AZ 29 C+
8 Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WI 29 C+
9 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA 28 C+
10 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI 28 C+
11 Spokane Community College Spokane, WA 27 C+
12 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI 26 C+
13 Renton Technical College Renton, WA 18 C+
14 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI 17 C+
15 Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LA 15 C+
16 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI 14 C+
17 Pierce College District Lakewood, WA 12 C+
18 Shasta College Redding, CA 12 C+
19 Midland College Midland, TX 10 C+
20 Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI 8 C+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do order clerks make?
The median annual salary for order clerks is $44,660.
What education do order clerks need?
Most order clerks positions require a some college, no degree. Common degree programs include Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation, General Office Occupations and Clerical Services, Receptionist.
Is becoming order clerks a good career choice?
Order clerks is projected to see -17.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 8,000 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for order clerks?
Top colleges for aspiring order clerks include Bob Jones University, Sinclair Community College, Central Georgia Technical College, Diversified Vocational College, Panola College. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to order clerks?
Order clerks may also be known as: Ad Taker (Advertising Taker), Advertising Clerk (Ad Clerk), Advertising Space Clerk (Ad Space Clerk), Back Order Clerk, Blood Bank Credit Clerk, Blood Bank Order Control Clerk, Catalogue Clerk, Classified Ad Clerk (Classified Advertisement Clerk), Classified Ad Taker (Classified Advertisement Taker), Clerical Order Filler, Compliance Clerk, Contact Clerk, Contact Worker, Film Rental Clerk, Food and Beverage Order Clerk, Fulfillment Associate, Fulfillment Center Associate, Fulfillment Clerk, Fulfillment Specialist, Gas Distribution and Emergency Clerk. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.