How much does a order clerk make?
The median order clerk in the United States earns $46,170 per year, about $22.20 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all order clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4151.
Order clerk salary range
Pay for order clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,530 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,530. The average (mean) wage of $48,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,530 | $17.08 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,660 | $19.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,170 | $22.20 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $54,310 | $26.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,530 | $30.54 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for order clerks (SOC 43-4151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Order clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Order clerks earn the most in Massachusetts at $55,040 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $37,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $55,040 | 1,350 |
| Oregon | $50,260 | 790 |
| Vermont | $49,950 | N/A |
| Colorado | $49,530 | 1,970 |
| Rhode Island | $49,410 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $49,150 | 170 |
| Alabama | $48,840 | 80 |
| Arizona | $48,590 | 760 |
| New Hampshire | $48,540 | 390 |
| Minnesota | $48,400 | 1,150 |
| New York | $48,320 | 3,530 |
| South Dakota | $48,010 | 330 |
| Washington | $47,990 | 4,300 |
| Maine | $47,750 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $47,750 | 1,540 |
| Maryland | $47,700 | 850 |
| Illinois | $47,670 | 3,540 |
| Connecticut | $47,500 | 710 |
| California | $47,290 | 12,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,840 | 2,570 |
| Hawaii | $46,760 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $46,270 | 2,640 |
| Ohio | $46,120 | 3,810 |
| North Carolina | $46,060 | 2,990 |
| Oklahoma | $45,850 | 2,210 |
| West Virginia | $45,320 | 100 |
| Kansas | $45,200 | 310 |
| Iowa | $44,980 | 680 |
| Florida | $44,380 | 3,270 |
| Indiana | $44,340 | 1,800 |
| Texas | $44,280 | 5,180 |
| Michigan | $44,240 | 2,290 |
| Nebraska | $44,060 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $43,040 | 470 |
| Virginia | $42,580 | 1,690 |
| Montana | $42,000 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $41,760 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $41,740 | 740 |
| Georgia | $41,720 | 1,750 |
| Delaware | $41,430 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $41,020 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $40,620 | 930 |
| Nevada | $40,560 | 740 |
| Utah | $40,260 | 880 |
| Idaho | $40,110 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $39,160 | 2,260 |
| Alaska | $37,590 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $37,520 | 660 |
State median wages for order clerks (SOC 43-4151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for order clerks
The BLS projects employment of order clerks to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 17.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 78,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 65,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,300 openings a year for order clerks. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an order clerk
The typical entry-level education for order clerks is some college but no degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an order clerk earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $55,040) and the lowest (Louisiana, $37,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 75,200 people work as order clerks in the United States. At $46,170 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Order clerk salary FAQ
How much does an order clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an order clerk is $22.20. The middle half of order clerks earn between $19.07 and $26.11 per hour.
What is the highest order clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of order clerks earn more than $63,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an order clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for an order clerk is $46,170. The average (mean) wage of $48,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an order clerk a well paid job?
At $46,170 a year, an order clerk earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 75,200 people work as order clerks in the United States.
Which state pays order clerks the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for order clerks at $55,040 a year. Oregon ($50,260) and Vermont ($49,950) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an order clerk a good career?
Employment of order clerks is projected to shrink 17.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an order clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for order clerks as some college but no degree, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Office & Administrative salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.