Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
- $44,770
- 2–6 weeks (paid training)
Business & Office career
Order Clerk
Also called: Order Entry Clerk · Order Processor · Sales Order Clerk · Order Desk Representative
What order clerks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an order clerk do?
Order clerks receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise or services, and answer questions about order status. The median pay is $46,170 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -17.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$46,170$22.20/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-17.5%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year6,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationSome college, no degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs78,900Employment, 2025
What order clerks do
Order clerks make sure orders get entered and shipped right. They take orders by phone, email or portal, enter them into systems, check stock and pricing, confirm details with customers, track shipments and fix problems.
Some college is typical, plus short training. BLS projects a steep decline as online ordering grows.
Typical duties
- Take customer orders
- Enter orders
- Check stock and pricing
- Confirm details
- Track shipments
- Handle changes and returns
- Answer status questions
Work environment and schedule
Order clerks work in offices and call centers for manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Process overnight online orders.
- Take phone orders.
- Check stock for a large order.
- Fix a pricing error.
See a full day in the life of an order clerk →
Order Clerk salary
Half of order clerks earned more than $46,170 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,530 for the lowest 10% to $63,530 for the top 10%.
Full order clerk pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an order clerk
- Finish high school
- Take some college courses
- Get hired
- Learn systems
- Advance
Some college is typical, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an order clerk →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Order entry
- ERP systems
- Inventory checking
- Pricing
- Customer service
People skills
- Accuracy
- Courtesy
- Organization
- Problem-solving
All order clerk skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short training
- Steady office work
- Customer contact
- Entry to sales support
Cons
- Steep decline
- Repetitive
- Upset customers
- Low pay
Certifications and licenses
- Customer service certificate: Helpful.
- Excel certification: Helpful.
- ERP training: Employer.
- Typing certificate: Helpful.
Career path
- Order Clerk: Entry.
- Senior Order Clerk: Complex orders.
- Inside Sales Rep: Sales.
- Customer Service Manager: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Order Clerk training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as enter a customer order accurately and handle a backordered item, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Procurement Clerk
Process purchase orders and keep track of supplies and orders.
- $50,580
- A few months on the job
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
- $45,260
- 1–4 weeks
Office Clerk
Handle the everyday tasks that keep an office running.
- $45,010
- A few weeks on the job
Compare: Order Clerk vs. Customer Service Rep · Order Clerk vs. Procurement Clerk · Order Clerk vs. Shipping Clerk · Order Clerk vs. Office Clerk
Order Clerk FAQ
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Do order clerks need a degree?
No, some college is typical.
What’s a path forward?
Inside sales or customer service leadership.
How much does an order clerk make?
The median annual wage for order clerks was $46,170 ($22.20 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,530 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,530.
How long does it take to become an order clerk?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. Some college is typical, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Do you need a degree to be an order clerk?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “some college, no degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4151 (Order clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Order clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.