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Stock Clerks: Significant Points

Stock clerks receive, store, and track merchandise or materials in warehouses, stockrooms, and retail stores. Their duties include unpacking shipments, checking quantities, sorting items, storing items on shelves or in bins, and using scanning devices to track inventory levels. Employment of stock clerks is expected to decrease in Pennsylvania due to increased automation and computerization, though some sectors like retail trade may see growth as online shopping increases. Stock clerk positions typically require a high school diploma and provide entry-level hourly wages ranging from $6.77 to $12.13.

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67 views2 pages

Stock Clerks: Significant Points

Stock clerks receive, store, and track merchandise or materials in warehouses, stockrooms, and retail stores. Their duties include unpacking shipments, checking quantities, sorting items, storing items on shelves or in bins, and using scanning devices to track inventory levels. Employment of stock clerks is expected to decrease in Pennsylvania due to increased automation and computerization, though some sectors like retail trade may see growth as online shopping increases. Stock clerk positions typically require a high school diploma and provide entry-level hourly wages ranging from $6.77 to $12.13.

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norabuoy
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Stock Clerks

SOC CODE: 43-5081

Significant Points
Employers require a high school diploma for this entry-level position.
Increased use of computers and automated equipment will slow growth.

Nature of the Work


Stock clerks receive, unpack, check, sort, store and track merchandise, or materials. They use hand-held
scanners connected to computers to mark items with identifying codes, so that inventories can be located
quickly and easily.
In larger establishments, stock clerks may be responsible for only one task. These clerks are sometimes called
inventory clerks, stock-control clerks, merchandise distributors, property custodians or storekeepers.
In smaller firms, stock clerks often perform more than one task, including shipping and receiving duties.
Retail stock clerks bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves. Meanwhile, those in stockrooms and
warehouses are responsible for storing materials in bins, on floors or on shelves.

Working Conditions
A typical workweek for stock clerks is Monday through Friday. However, evening and weekend hours are
standard in some industries.
Some stock clerks work in warehouses, stockrooms and shipping/receiving rooms. Others spend time in cold
storage rooms or on outside loading docks, exposed to the weather.
Stock work can be very strenuous since most of a clerks time is spent standing, bending, walking and
stretching. Although stock clerks lift and carry smaller items by hand, the heavier items are moved with
mechanical material handling equipment.

Employment
Stock clerks held about 1.6 million jobs in 2004 in the United States and around 74,150 jobs in Pennsylvania.
About 78 percent were employed with wholesale and retail trade establishments primarily with grocery,
department and general merchandise stores. Manufacturing companies employed about 7 percent.

Job Outlook
Employment of stock clerks in Pennsylvania is expected to decrease from approximately 74,150 in 2004 to
approximately 62,810 in 2014. About 2,744 annual openings will result from replacement needs. Although no
net employment growth is expected statewide, growth openings may occur in some areas.
The demand for stock clerks in manufacturing and wholesale trade is expected to slow with the growing use of
computers for inventory control and the installation of automated equipment. Stock clerks working in grocery,
general merchandise, department, apparel and accessories stores will be somewhat less affected.
On the other hand, the increasing role of retail outlet, warehouse, catalogue, mail-order, telephone and Internet
shopping services should bolster employment of stock clerks in these sectors of retail trade.

Earnings
Average hourly earnings of stock clerks in Pennsylvania were $10.34 in 2005. The entry-level rate in 2005
was $6.77 while an experienced stock clerk made $12.13.

Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement


Stock clerk jobs are primarily entry-level positions that require a high school diploma and very little
previous experience. Some employers prefer applicants who are familiar with computers and other electronic office
equipment. Those who have taken business courses or have previous experience may have an advantage.
Training for most stock clerk positions is very informal. In fact, those whose sole responsibility is to bring
merchandise to the sales floor or stock shelves need very little training. Others learn how to count and mark stock
under the supervision of an experienced worker. Then, they start keeping records and taking inventory on their own.
Strength, stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks are important characteristics for stock clerks.
Good oral and written communication skills are essential for those keeping inventory. Other clerical skills, such as
typing and filing, could benefit stock clerks.
Advancement opportunities vary with the place of employment. In large firms, stock clerks can become
invoice clerks, stock control clerks or procurement clerks. With additional training, some can even advance to jobs
such as warehouse manager or purchasing agent.

Related Occupations
Workers in other occupations with responsibilities and duties related to those of stock clerks include
shipping, receiving & traffic clerks; distributing clerks; routing clerks; stock supervisors; and cargo checkers.

Sources of Additional Information


Pennsylvania CareerLink. Internet: http://www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
National Retail Federation, 325 7th St. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004. Internet: http://www.nrf.com

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