Order Clerks
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.
- O*NET-SOC code
43-4151.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$46,170
Employment, U.S.75,200
Median hourly wage$22.20
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,530 | $39,660 | $46,170 | $54,310 | $63,530 |
By state (49)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 80 | $48,840 | 0.08 |
| Alaska | 70 | $37,590 | 0.43 |
| Arizona | 760 | $48,590 | 0.49 |
| Arkansas | 290 | $41,760 | 0.46 |
| California | 12,390 | $47,290 | 1.41 |
| Colorado | 1,970 | $49,530 | 1.42 |
| Connecticut | 710 | $47,500 | 0.86 |
| Delaware | 170 | $41,430 | 0.75 |
| District of Columbia | 170 | $49,150 | 0.51 |
| Florida | 3,270 | $44,380 | 0.68 |
| Georgia | 1,750 | $41,720 | 0.74 |
| Hawaii | 210 | $46,760 | 0.68 |
| Idaho | 90 | $40,110 | 0.23 |
| Illinois | 3,540 | $47,670 | 1.20 |
| Indiana | 1,800 | $44,340 | 1.16 |
| Iowa | 680 | $44,980 | 0.91 |
| Kansas | 310 | $45,200 | 0.44 |
| Kentucky | 930 | $40,620 | 0.96 |
| Louisiana | 660 | $37,520 | 0.71 |
| Maine | 300 | $47,750 | 0.96 |
| Maryland | 850 | $47,700 | 0.63 |
| Massachusetts | 1,350 | $55,040 | 0.77 |
| Michigan | 2,290 | $44,240 | 1.08 |
| Minnesota | 1,150 | $48,400 | 0.81 |
| Mississippi | 470 | $43,040 | 0.83 |
| Missouri | 840 | Not available | 0.59 |
| Montana | 60 | $42,000 | 0.26 |
| Nebraska | 440 | $44,060 | 0.89 |
| Nevada | 740 | $40,560 | 0.98 |
| New Hampshire | 390 | $48,540 | 1.19 |
| New Jersey | 2,640 | $46,270 | 1.27 |
| New Mexico | 310 | $41,020 | 0.74 |
| New York | 3,530 | $48,320 | 0.75 |
| North Carolina | 2,990 | $46,060 | 1.25 |
| Ohio | 3,810 | $46,120 | 1.42 |
| Oklahoma | 2,210 | $45,850 | 2.68 |
| Oregon | 790 | $50,260 | 0.83 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,570 | $46,840 | 0.88 |
| Rhode Island | 170 | $49,410 | 0.70 |
| South Carolina | 740 | $41,740 | 0.66 |
| South Dakota | 330 | $48,010 | 1.49 |
| Tennessee | 2,260 | $39,160 | 1.43 |
| Texas | 5,180 | $44,280 | 0.76 |
| Utah | 880 | $40,260 | 1.05 |
| Vermont | $49,950 | ||
| Virginia | 1,690 | $42,580 | 0.85 |
| Washington | 4,300 | $47,990 | 2.51 |
| West Virginia | 100 | $45,320 | 0.30 |
| Wisconsin | 1,540 | $47,750 | 1.08 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | 1-2 | 0.941 |
| 2 | Parts Salespersons | 1-2 | 0.940 |
| 3 | Recycling Coordinators | 1-2 | 0.938 |
| 4 | New Accounts Clerks | 3 | 0.934 |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | 1-2 | 0.932 |
| 6 | Procurement Clerks | 1-2 | 0.932 |
| 7 | Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | 1-2 | 0.931 |
| 8 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | 1-2 | 0.928 |
| 9 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 1-2 | 0.926 |
| 10 | Opticians, Dispensing | 3 | 0.926 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Order Clerks, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | Management of Personnel Resources | 1.38 | 0.928 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Order Clerks, excluding software Order Clerks already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Kronos Workforce Timekeeper | 3 of 20 | 10.7x |
| Scheduling software | 5 of 20 | 3.3x |
| Microsoft Dynamics GP | 4 of 20 | 3.8x |
| SAP Business Objects | 4 of 20 | 3.6x |
| 4 of 20 | 3.5x | |
| Data entry software | 3 of 20 | 5.1x |
| Microsoft Windows | 9 of 20 | 1.7x |
| Oracle Database | 5 of 20 | 2.7x |
| Microsoft Project | 8 of 20 | 1.8x |
| Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management | 4 of 20 | 3.2x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 4.00 | 3.62 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.50 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.50 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.62 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 1.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.36 | 5.30 |
| Production and Processing | 4.16 | 4.67 |
| Computers and Electronics | 4.05 | 4.93 |
| Education and Training | 3.92 | 5.09 |
| English Language | 3.81 | 4.41 |
| Administrative | 3.74 | 4.28 |
| Mathematics | 3.67 | 4.15 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.61 | 3.96 |
| Transportation | 3.42 | 3.43 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.31 | 3.99 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.22 | 3.49 |
| Administration and Management | 3.18 | 3.37 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.10 | 3.67 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.66 | 2.40 |
| Communications and Media | 2.35 | 1.36 |
| Law and Government | 2.21 | 2.37 |
| Mechanical | 2.18 | 2.31 |
| Design | 1.83 | not rated |
| Psychology | 1.76 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.70 | not rated |
| Telecommunications | 1.65 | 0.80 |
| Physics | 1.55 | 0.90 |
| Foreign Language | 1.50 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.49 | not rated |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.49 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.40 | 0.84 |
| Chemistry | 1.26 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.03 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.03 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.02 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.02 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.01 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.01 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Near Vision | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.88 | 3.38 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Information Ordering | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Number Facility | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Time Sharing | 2.75 | 2.38 |
| Far Vision | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.62 | 2.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.50 | 2.25 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Memorization | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Originality | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Visualization | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Control Precision | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Depth Perception | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Reaction Time | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.25 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.12 | not rated |
| Rate Control | 1.12 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.12 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Order management software in demand
- Adobe Acrobat hot
- Apple Safari hot
- Intuit QuickBooks hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Edge hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Mozilla Firefox hot
- SAP software hot
- Automated manifest system software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Email software
- IBM Sterling Configure, Price, Quote
- Inventory management systems
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft System Center
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Warehouse management system WMS
- Web browser software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1,720 | 5.25 | $45,850 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 220 | 2.26 | $45,760 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 130 | 2.18 | $46,960 |
| Akron, OH | 320 | 2.06 | $51,060 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 5,740 | 1.89 | $46,590 |
| Boulder, CO | 170 | 1.84 | $49,970 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 540 | 1.81 | $40,770 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 1,320 | 1.70 | $49,840 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,100 | 1.67 | $48,320 |
| Asheville, NC | 140 | 1.65 | $44,690 |