How to Hire an Order Clerk

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

The hiring market for order clerks

There are about 78,900 order clerks employed in the U.S., with roughly 6,300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -17.5% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.

Pay benchmarks for offers

*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.

What to look for

Where to find order clerks

• Community college business programs and career centers
• Professional associations (such as SHRM, PMI and state CPA societies)
• LinkedIn and niche job boards
• Internal promotion from front-line roles
• Job postings that use common alternate titles: Order Entry Clerk, Order Processor, Sales Order Clerk, Order Desk Representative

Screening checklist

• A skills assessment (Excel, writing or role software)
• Credential verification (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificate)
• Reference checks focused on reliability and accuracy
• A structured interview with a short work sample

Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.

1. “Describe order entry experience.”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

2. “How do you stay accurate?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

3. “How do you handle a late order?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

4. “What systems have you used?”

What a strong answer includes: List.

5. “How do you handle upset customers?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

Practical skills checks

A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:

• Enter a Customer Order Accurately (see the steps)
• Handle a Backordered Item (see the steps)
• Process a Product Return (see the steps)

Red flags

• Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
• Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
• Unfamiliar with core terms such as Order entry, SKU, Backorder
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Order Clerk 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Order Clerk training. Show them the path forward: Order Clerk → Senior Order Clerk → Inside Sales Rep → Customer Service Manager.

Hiring order clerks: FAQ

How much should I pay an order clerk?

The U.S. median wage for order clerks is $46,170 per year ($22.20/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($39,660), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($54,310). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should an order clerk have?

BLS lists “some college, no degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Customer service certificate and Excel certification where relevant, plus skills such as order entry, erp systems, and inventory checking.

How long does it take to train a new order clerk?

Becoming qualified typically takes A few weeks on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”