Order clerk

What does an order clerk do? – Tasks and work environment

An order clerk is responsible for receiving, registering, and managing customer orders within industrial manufacturing and logistics. The role involves ensuring that customer orders are processed correctly and delivered on time, often requiring close collaboration with warehouse staff, transporters, and customer service. The work environment is typically office-based, but there are also roles in production or warehouse facilities. Precision and good organizational skills are crucial, as the order clerk often handles multiple cases simultaneously and must be able to prioritize tasks to keep the delivery flow efficient.

Salary development over time

The salary for an order clerk has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, increasing to 30 300 SEK in 2023 and further to 31 400 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 11% over three years. This salary trend reflects a general pattern within industrial manufacturing, where demand for administrative and logistical skills has increased alongside digitalization and efficiency improvements in delivery processes. At the same time, wage levels are also influenced by the labor supply, with a certain oversupply helping to keep wage increases moderate. Gender pay gaps remain, with women earning on average 95% of men's salaries.

Order clerk salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 30,100 SEK/month (female, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
• Highest salary: 35,800 SEK/month (male, public sector, high school education 3 years)
• Hourly wage: 189 SEK
• Men's average salary: 31 900 SEK/month
• Women's average salary: 30 500 SEK/month
• Women earn: 95% of men's salaries

Education and qualifications

To work as an order clerk, a high school education with a focus on commerce, administration, or industry is usually required. Experience with administrative tasks, good computer skills, and knowledge of logistics systems are often advantageous. The profession suits individuals who are meticulous, service-oriented, and collaborative. Many employers also offer internal training to strengthen practical knowledge in order management and warehouse administration.

• High school education: 2–3 years, in commerce, administration, or industry
• Courses in logistics and order management: Meritorious
• Internship/Trainee: Common in the industry
• Good computer skills: Often required experience with business and order systems
• Customer service experience: Considered an advantage

Common benefits and compensations

Order clerks are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, subsidized lunches, and collective insurance agreements. Other common compensations include pension contributions, overtime pay, and opportunities for skills development through internal courses and training. In some cases, bonuses or performance-based supplements may also be offered depending on the workplace and sector.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an order clerk is currently relatively high, meaning there is an oversupply of applicants compared to available positions. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for the profession of order packers and other factory workers, including order clerks, job prospects are limited, and the recruitment situation is characterized by an oversupply. Over the next five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged. Digitalization and automation may pose additional challenges, as some work tasks are streamlined or altered. Employers increasingly require good system skills and flexibility from their order clerks.

Tips for those wanting to become an order clerk

To succeed as an order clerk, it is helpful to be organized and capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously without losing focus. Attention to detail is crucial, as each order must be carefully checked to avoid delivery errors. Service-mindedness and a positive attitude facilitate contact with customers and colleagues, especially when workload is high. Taking the initiative to learn new systems and processes can be advantageous, as technological changes are common in the profession. Flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to new routines are also valuable. Good teamwork skills, especially with warehouse and transport departments, make the work smoother and contribute to an efficient workday. Finally, it pays to be solution-oriented and not hesitate to take responsibility when unforeseen problems arise.

Key facts about Order Clerk

• Salary range: 30,100–35,800 SEK/month
• Education level: High school education (2–3 years)
• Work environment: Office-based, sometimes warehouse/production environment
• Demand: Limited opportunities, oversupply of applicants
• Available jobs: 1,437 within the profession

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as an order clerk, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as order manager, logistics coordinator, or team leader in order and warehouse management. Some choose to specialize in customer support or purchasing, while others move on to administrative positions within the supply chain. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, demand for order clerks and similar professions will remain relatively unchanged over the next five years, with a certain oversupply of labor. Digital tools and increased automation may lead to changes in the role, making it beneficial to continuously develop skills in systems and logistics processes to enhance career prospects.

Frequently asked questions about Order Clerk

• What does an Order Clerk earn?
  - An order clerk has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month in Sweden.
• How do salary differences between men and women look?
  - Men earn an average of 31 900 SEK and women 30 500 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become an order clerk?
  - High school education in commerce, administration, or industry is most common, but experience and computer skills are also important.
• What are the future prospects for order clerks?
  - The prognosis indicates limited job opportunities and an oversupply of applicants within the profession.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for an order clerk?
  - The highest salary is 35,800 SEK and the lowest 30,100 SEK per month.
• What benefits are common in the profession?
  - Common benefits include wellness allowances, collective agreements, pension contributions, and skills development.
• How many job openings are there for order clerks?
  - There are 1,437 available jobs within the profession.