How long does it take to become an order clerk?

Typically a year or so of college, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do order clerks make?

The US median is $46,170 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an order clerk?

Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.

Where can you train to become an order clerk?

165 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become an order clerk

Office & admin · SOC 43-4151

$46,170US median pay, 2025

-17.5%Projected growth, 2025–35

6,300Openings per year

CertificateUsual way in

How you get in

A certificate or short program is the usual way in.

Some college, no degree
Short-term on-the-job training
Work as an order clerk

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
General Office Occupations and Clerical Services	CIP 52.0408	124
Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation	CIP 52.0411	37
Receptionist	CIP 52.0406	12

See the 165 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an order clerk?: Typically a year or so of college, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do order clerks make?: The US median is $46,170 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an order clerk?: Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train to become an order clerk?: 165 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Office & admin

Customer service representatives · Office clerks, general · Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive · Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks · First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers · Receptionists and information clerks · Medical secretaries and administrative assistants · Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants