Office & Administrative Support
Order Clerks
Also called: Hub Associate, Materials Specialist, Order Analyst, Order Clerk
US median pay
$46,170
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-17.5%
declining
Openings a year (US)
6,300
78,900 employed
Typical entry education
Some college, no degree
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Administrative3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): Some college, no degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma63%
- Post-secondary certificate24%
- Bachelor's degree12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.