Order Clerks salary guide 2025: $46,170 median, -17.2% job decline
The median Order Clerk in the U.S. earns $46,170 per year, or about $22 per hour. Most make between $35,530 and $63,530, according to May 2024 BLS data. The job comes with stable hours and straightforward entry requirements, but the career outlook is shrinking fast: employment is projected to drop 17.2 percent by 2034.
How much Order Clerks earn
Order Clerks process orders for materials, goods, or services, and the pay reflects its clerical nature. The median annual wage of $46,170 sits just above the national median for all occupations. The bottom 10 percent earn $35,530 or less; top earners pull in $63,530 or more.
The mean wage is $48,220, slightly higher than the median due to higher-paid clerks skewing the average. Hourly, that works out to roughly $22.10 for the median and $23.18 mean.
Pay by state
Where you work matters. The highest-paying state for Order Clerks is Massachusetts at $55,040 average annual wage. Oregon follows at $50,260, then Vermont ($49,950), Colorado ($49,530), and Rhode Island ($49,410).
At the low end, Tennessee pays a mean of $39,160, Alaska $37,590, and Louisiana $37,520. The gap between top and bottom states is about $17,500 — enough to shift the career's value significantly.
How to become Order Clerk
The path is short. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training typically lasts a month or less. Computer literacy, basic math, and clear communication are the core skills. No license or certification is needed.
Experience with data entry or inventory systems helps. Some community colleges offer certificates in office administration, but it's not required. The job is entry-level, so advancement often means moving into purchasing or logistics roles.
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- On-the-job training: 1 month or less
- No license or certification needed
- Key skills: data entry, attention to detail, customer service
Job outlook
The BLS projects a 17.2 percent decline in Order Clerk employment from 2024 to 2034. That's a sharp loss — about 8,000 openings per year will come mostly from workers leaving the occupation, not new jobs. Automation and online ordering systems are replacing many manual order-processing tasks.
For those entering the field, expect competition. Openings will still exist in industries like wholesale trade and manufacturing, but growth is negative. Consider upskilling in supply chain management or logistics coordination to stay ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the job outlook for Order Clerks?
Employment is projected to decline 17.2 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,000 job openings per year, mostly due to replacement needs.
How much do Order Clerks make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $22.10, with a mean of $23.18. The typical range is $17.07 to $30.54 per hour.
Which states pay Order Clerks the most?
Massachusetts ($55,040), Oregon ($50,260), Vermont ($49,950), Colorado ($49,530), and Rhode Island ($49,410) are the top-paying states.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Order Clerks data.