Order clerk

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

An order clerk is responsible for managing and administering incoming and outgoing orders within a company, often in close collaboration with sales, warehouse, and customer service. Tasks include receiving orders, registering and following up on orders, and ensuring deliveries are on time. Communication with customers and internal departments is a key part of the job, as well as handling complaints and deviations. The work environment is primarily office-based and characterized by periods of high pace, especially during campaigns or seasonal variations.

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 35,700 SEK per month, increasing to 36 900 SEK in 2023 and now reaching 37 900 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.2% over the period. The salary development can be explained by continued demand for administrative staff in logistics and sales, as well as an increased focus on efficient order management in many companies. Variations in salary growth rates may also depend on regional factors and industry-specific needs, where larger companies and expanding regions tend to drive up wages somewhat faster. Despite the positive trend, gender pay gaps remain noticeable within the profession.

Order clerk salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 37 900 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month (male, private sector, unspecified education)
• Highest salary: 41,800 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school diploma, up to 2 years)
• Hourly wage: 228 SEK/hour (average, based on 166 hours/month)
• Gender differences: Men earn 39 500 SEK, women 37 100 SEK (women earn 94% of what men do)
• Regional differences: Salary variations occur depending on region and employer, generally higher in metropolitan areas.

Education and qualifications

To work as an order clerk, a secondary school diploma is usually required, preferably with a focus on economics, commerce, or administration. Experience with similar administrative tasks and good computer skills are often advantageous. Some employers may also require knowledge of logistics systems or business software, as well as previous internships in the industry. Additional qualifications can be obtained through courses or certifications in administration and customer service.

• High school diploma: Business and administration program, 3 years
• Courses/certifications: Administration, economics, business systems
• Internship: Meritorious, especially within order management or logistics
• Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, good Swedish and English
• Tips for choosing: Select education with practical training and modern IT systems

Common benefits and compensation

Order clerks are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, subsidized lunches, occupational pensions, and flexible working hours. Other common compensations may include bonuses for achieving targets, professional development, and sometimes remote work options depending on the employer and tasks.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an order clerk varies depending on region and industry. In metropolitan areas and in growing sectors such as e-commerce and logistics, demand is often high, leading to more available positions. At the same time, automation and digitalization of order processing can mean that some tasks change or become more efficient, requiring continuous skills development. Challenges in the profession include managing high pace, rapid changes in order volumes, and maintaining accuracy even during stressful periods. To stand out in the job market, it is important to demonstrate good service skills, technical understanding, and effective communication both internally and externally.

Tips for those who want to become an order clerk

To succeed as an order clerk, it is good to combine accuracy with a service-oriented approach, as the work requires both attention to detail and customer contact. Developing good IT skills and quickly familiarizing oneself with various business systems is a big advantage, especially when the pace is high and multiple orders must be handled simultaneously. Flexibility is important to handle unexpected situations and changing conditions in daily work. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and customers, while a solution-oriented attitude helps with complaints or delivery issues. Showing initiative and a willingness to continuously develop your skills makes it easier to take on more qualified tasks and, in the long run, advance within the company.

Key facts about Order Clerk

• Education level: Secondary school diploma, preferably with administrative focus
• Work environment: Office-based, often high pace and customer contact
• Typical working hours: Full-time, daytime
• Demand: 550 available jobs within the profession of purchasing and order assistants
• Special skills: Business systems, administration, service

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities for order clerks to take on more qualified roles, such as order manager, team leader, or within logistics and purchasing coordination. Further paths may also lead to specialist roles within business systems or transition to customer responsibility positions. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that there is currently no specific assessment for order clerk as an individual profession, but within the group of purchasing and order assistants, there is a stable number of available jobs (550 positions), suggesting continued demand. The profession thus offers good development opportunities for those willing to broaden their skills and adapt to industry digitalization.

Frequently asked questions about Order Clerk

• What does an order clerk earn?
  - The average salary is 37 900 SEK per month, with variations depending on gender, experience, and region.
• How do salary differences between women and men look?
  - Men earn on average 39 500 SEK and women 37 100 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become an order clerk?
  - A secondary school diploma with a focus on administration, commerce, or economics is most common. Internships and courses in business systems are advantageous.
• What does the job market look like for order clerks?
  - There are 550 available jobs within the profession, with particularly high demand in metropolitan areas and the logistics sector.
• What tasks are included in the role?
  - Order registration, customer contact, delivery follow-up, and administration of orders are central tasks.
• Are there opportunities for advancement?
  - Yes, experienced order clerks can move on to roles such as team leader, order manager, or logistics specialist.