Order clerks
SOC Code: 43-4151
Order clerks carries a 79% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $44,660 and -17.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 89,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Order clerks (SOC 43-4151) carries an AI exposure score of 79%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score above 70% signals that the majority of core duties are already technically automatable — workers in these roles face the steepest near-term displacement pressure.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 89,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -17.2% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $44,660, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Some college, no degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Order clerks. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.
- 2. Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.
- 3. Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.
- 4. Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs.
- 5. Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications.
- 6. Receive and respond to customer complaints.
- 7. Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.
- 8. Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.
- 9. Confer with production, sales, shipping, warehouse, or common carrier personnel to expedite or trace shipments.
- 10. Direct specified departments or units to prepare and ship orders to designated locations.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Sales and Marketing
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Order clerks?
Order clerks has an AI exposure score of 79%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Many tasks in this role involve routine data processing and pattern recognition that current AI systems can perform.
What is the job outlook for Order clerks?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Order clerks is projected to decline by 17.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 89,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Order clerks?
Key skills for Order clerks include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Some college, no degree.
How much do Order clerks earn?
The median annual wage for Order clerks is $44,660, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Order clerks?
The typical entry-level education for Order clerks is Some college, no degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Order clerks?
Order clerks roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).