Stock Clerks

Stock clerks receive, unpack, check, store, and track merchandise or materials.

Stock clerks keep records of all items entering or leaving the stock room. They inspect goods to be sure they are not damaged or spoiled.

Stock Clerks are in the Marketing, Sales, and Service career cluster and the Merchandising pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary by area of the country and employer. The clerk's level of experience and responsibility also affect wages.

Stock clerks who work full time generally receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Stock Clerks and Order Fillers

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 34,895 stock clerks work in this very large occupation.

Major employers:

• Grocery stores
• Department stores
• Other general merchandise stores

Outlook

The growing use of computers for inventory control and new, automated equipment are expected to slow the demand for stock clerks. This is especially true in manufacturing and wholesale trade. Machines can stack and retrieve goods, so fewer stock clerks are needed. However, jobs in grocery, general merchandise, and department stores will be less affected. Much of the work at these sites is done by hand and is hard to automate. In addition, the increasing use of catalog, mail, telephone, and Internet shopping services should spur employment for stock clerks.

Many job openings will occur each year as current workers transfer to other jobs or leave the labor force. Opportunities will be best for clerks with computer skills.

Employment Outlook for Stock Clerks and Order Fillers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	1,787,400	1,808,300	20,900	1.2%
Minnesota	36,453	36,011	-442	-1.2%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	4,001	4,143	142	3.5%
Northeast Minnesota	1,811	1,798	-13	-0.7%
Northwest Minnesota	3,102	3,188	86	2.8%
Southeast Minnesota	2,828	2,923	95	3.4%
Southwest Minnesota	2,096	2,101	5	0.2%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	22,952	22,202	-750	-3.3%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Stock clerks receive, unpack, check, store, and track merchandise or materials.


In the late 1990s, the talk show host Rosie O'Donnell showed her new favorite toy - the "Tickle Me Elmo." As a result, shoppers flocked to toy stores searching for the plush toy, who giggled when you "tickled" his belly. The shelves were soon emptied, creating an even bigger frenzy for the toy. The arms of stock clerks were no doubt sore from continually replacing the Elmo toys that vanished from the shelves as soon as they were put there.Stock clerks work for companies that sell merchandise or materials. They work in retail stores, warehouses, and factories. They keep track of items that will be sold.

Stock clerks keep records of all items entering or leaving the stock room. They inspect goods to be sure they are not damaged or spoiled. They sort and organize products for sale, and mark them with prices or identifying codes. For example, clerks may mark items with stock or inventory control codes, so that items can be located quickly and easily.

In large companies, stock clerks may be responsible for only one task. They are often called by the task they perform, such as inventory clerk. In smaller firms, stock clerks may also perform tasks usually done by shipping and receiving clerks. For example, they may pack and ship merchandise and prepare invoices. They may unpack and verify incoming merchandise against the original order.

In many firms, stock clerks use hand-held scanners to keep inventories up to date. The scanners are connected to computers that track the inventory. In retail stores, stock clerks bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and racks. Some stock clerks help customers on the sales floor. They may find or cut materials, ring up sales, or answer questions. In stock rooms and warehouses, clerks store materials in bins, on floors, or on shelves. They may also be required to lift heavy cartons of various sizes.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Keep records of items entering or leaving stock rooms.
• Inspect damaged or spoiled goods.
• Sort, organize, and mark items with identifying codes, such as prices or inventory control codes.
• May pack and ship outgoing merchandise, and unpack and verify incoming merchandise.
• Use hand-held scanners connected to computers to keep inventories up to date.
• Bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and racks.
• May interact with customers to find merchandise, ring up sales, or answer questions.
• Store materials in bins, on floors, or on shelves. Lift cartons of various sizes.
• Keep items organized.
• Complete order receipts.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Handle and move objects.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Work with the public.
• Process information.
• Assist others.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Make decisions and solve problems.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a medium to high level of job-required social contact. They interact with coworkers, but also spend time working alone.
• Communicate on a daily basis by face-to-face discussions and over the telephone.
• Usually work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of customers. They must stock things correctly so they don't fall.
• May on occasion be placed in conflict situations in which customers may be rude or angry when something isn't available.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other stock clerks.

Physical Work Conditions

• Usually work indoors, but may on occasion work outdoors.
• Are on occasion exposed to sounds and noise levels that are loud or distracting.
• May occasionally be exposed to contaminants.
• Often share work space with other clerks and customers.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure that all details are done. Errors could cost the company money.
• Repeat the same physical activities, especially when marking stock.
• Sometimes make decisions that affect coworkers, customers, and their employer's reputation. Depending on the situation, they may make decisions independently.
• Set many of their daily tasks and goals without seeking input from a supervisor first.
• Must meet daily and weekly deadlines first.

Hours/Travel

• Usually work a regular 40-hour week.
• May work evening and weekends, especially stock clerks who work in retail trade.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat movements over and over.
• Walk or run on sales floors or in warehouses.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a stock clerk, you typically need to:

• complete short-term on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this occupation. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Stock clerks usually learn their skills on the job. You work with an experienced clerk and do routine tasks under close supervision. You learn to count and mark stock, keep records, and take inventory.

Stock clerks whose only job is to bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and racks need little or no training. Training typically lasts up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be sales and stock specialists. Training lasts six to seven weeks. Additional training occurs on the job.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Retailing and Retail Operations

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Retail Management

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Computer Fundamentals
• Office Procedures
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Express ideas clearly when speaking.
• Read and understand work-related materials and other written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Use Math and Science

• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with People

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Production and Processing: Knowledge of how products are made and supplied.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 6 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

Find Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Some employers require that applicants have a high school diploma or GED. Many prefer to hire clerks who have computer experience and basic clerical skills, such as typing, filing, and recordkeeping. Previous business experience or job-related experience is also helpful.

Employers prefer applicants who have good speaking and writing skills. Strength and good eyesight are also important. In addition, stock clerks need the ability to work at repetitive tasks, sometimes under pressure.

Advancement Opportunities

Advancement opportunities for stock clerks vary with the company they work for. Stock clerks may move into clerk jobs that pay higher wages, such as shipping and receiving clerk. With additional training, stock clerks may advance to jobs as warehouse manager or purchasing agent.

Job Title Examples

Grocery Stock Clerk,  Picker,  Store Clerk,  Checker Stocker,  Night Stocker,  Stocker 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Stock Clerks you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Cashiers
Copy Machine Operators
Counter Attendants
Counter and Rental Clerks
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Library Technical Assistants
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Similar Military Careers

Below are similar military careers you may be interested in reading about. Click on the names to link to their career description.

Sales and Stock Specialists

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Stock Clerks you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Stock Clerks. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Apparel And Leather Products
Building And Garden Supply Stores
Business Management And Support Services
Clothing Stores
Computers And Electronic Products
Department Stores And Other Retailers
Electronics And Appliance Stores
Food Products
Food Stores
Furniture And Furnishings Stores
Gas Stations And Mini Marts
Health And Personal Care Stores
Hospitals
Motion Pictures And Sound Recording
Motor Vehicle And Parts Dealers
Sports, Books, And Music Stores
Textile Mill Products
Truck Transportation
Wholesale Trade

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.