Occupation · SOC 53-7065
Stockers and Order Fillers
Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.
Median wage
$37,090
$29,850–$49,200
Projected growth
+8.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
23,500
per year
Employed (US)
2,779,530
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareDesktop communications softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareOperating system software
Representative tasks
Complete order receipts.Answer customers' questions about merchandise and advise customers on merchandise selection.Issue or distribute materials, products, parts, and supplies to customers or coworkers, based on information from incoming requisitions.Keep records of out-going orders.Stock shelves, racks, cases, bins, and tables with new or transferred merchandise.Operate equipment such as forklifts.Stamp, attach, or change price tags on merchandise, referring to price list.Obtain merchandise from bins or shelves.Receive and count stock items, and record data manually or on computer.Read orders to ascertain catalog numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of merchandise.Receive, unload, open, unpack, or issue sales floor merchandise.Pack customer purchases in bags or cartons.Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in warehouses, tool rooms, supply rooms, or other areas.Mark stock items, using identification tags, stamps, electric marking tools, or other labeling equipment.Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms, warehouses, or storage yards.Take inventory or examine merchandise to identify items to be reordered or replenished.Clean display cases, shelves, and aisles.Keep records on the use or damage of stock or stock-handling equipment.Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment, and storage areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.Determine proper storage methods, identification, and stock location, based on turnover, environmental factors, and physical capabilities of facilities.Dispose of damaged or defective items, or return them to vendors.Recommend disposal of excess, defective, or obsolete stock.Design and set up advertising signs and displays of merchandise on shelves, counters, or tables to attract customers and promote sales.Provide assistance or direction to other stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard workers.Examine and inspect stock items for wear or defects, reporting any damage to supervisors.Compute prices of items or groups of items.Itemize and total customer merchandise selection at checkout counter, using cash register, and accept cash or charge card for purchases.Requisition merchandise from supplier, based on available space, merchandise on hand, customer demand, or advertised specials.Compare merchandise invoices to items actually received to ensure that shipments are correct.Transport packages to customers' vehicles.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Order receipts — complete accurately under direct supervisor guidance in a warehouse or retail stockroom setting.Shelf merchandise — stock shelves, racks, cases, and bins with new or transferred items following a step-by-step placement guide.Price tags — stamp, attach, or change price labels on merchandise by referring to a printed price list under close supervision.Outgoing order records — record basic details of dispatched orders into a logbook or simple data entry form with supervisor review.Merchandise retrieval — obtain items from designated bins or shelves using a pick list provided by a lead stocker.Customer questions — respond to straightforward merchandise inquiries by locating and sharing information from posted signage or product labels.Inventory software — navigate a basic inventory management software interface to look up item locations under direct instruction.Safety protocols — follow established lifting and material-handling procedures to move stock safely on the warehouse floor.Incoming requisitions — read and interpret basic written requisition forms to identify correct products for distribution to coworkers.Hand trucks and pallet jacks — operate manual material-moving equipment under supervision to transport merchandise within a stockroom.
developing
Order receipts and records — complete and file order receipt documents and outgoing order logs consistently with minimal oversight in a busy warehouse environment.Shelf stocking — replenish shelves, racks, bins, and display tables according to planogram or rotation schedules with reduced day-to-day direction.Customer merchandise guidance — answer customer questions and advise on merchandise selection by drawing on product knowledge gained through on-the-job experience.Price tag management — update and verify price tags across a product category by cross-referencing current price lists and flagging discrepancies to a supervisor.Requisition fulfillment — issue and distribute materials, parts, and supplies to coworkers or customers by accurately interpreting incoming requisition documents.Inventory software queries — run standard searches and generate basic reports in inventory management or ERP software to confirm stock levels and locations.Forklift operation — operate a sit-down or stand-up forklift to move palletized merchandise within a distribution center after completing required certification.Electronic communications — use desktop communications and email software to coordinate order status updates with team leads and receiving departments.Physical stock handling — apply trunk strength and extent flexibility consistently when loading and unloading bulk merchandise from high shelves and deep storage bins.Attention to detail in picking — verify item quantities and SKU accuracy during the picking process before distribution, catching common errors before they leave the floor.
proficient
Complex order processing — manage multi-line order receipts and distribution workflows autonomously, resolving discrepancies between requisitions and available stock.Full-scope shelf management — independently oversee stocking, rotation, and organization of an assigned merchandise section across all rack types in a high-volume retail or warehouse setting.Advanced customer service — diagnose customer needs, recommend appropriate merchandise, and resolve escalated product selection issues without supervisor intervention.Pricing accuracy oversight — audit price tag compliance across multiple product lines by referencing updated price lists and correcting errors before customer impact.ERP and inventory systems — use enterprise resource planning and inventory management software proficiently to track inbound and outbound stock, reconcile variances, and maintain accurate records.Non-routine equipment operation — operate forklifts and other powered material-handling equipment safely in congested or time-sensitive warehouse conditions, adapting to changing floor layouts.Outgoing order records management — maintain complete, accurate outgoing order logs and verify data integrity in spreadsheet or database systems across an entire shift.Cross-functional coordination — coordinate merchandise distribution across multiple departments or pick zones by interpreting requisitions from various internal customers simultaneously.Workplace safety leadership — identify and address ergonomic and material-handling hazards proactively, applying cautiousness and perseverance to maintain a safe stockroom environment.Written and oral communication — prepare clear written status reports and communicate stock issues verbally to supervisors and coworkers with precision and clarity.
advanced
Stocking operations strategy — design and implement shelf replenishment and order fulfillment workflows that improve throughput and reduce errors across a full warehouse or retail back-of-house operation.Team development and training — develop training plans and mentor new and developing stockers on proper stocking, pricing, and order fulfillment procedures in a warehouse or large retail environment.Inventory system governance — lead the configuration, testing, and adoption of inventory management or ERP software upgrades affecting the entire stocking department.Performance standards and metrics — establish productivity and accuracy benchmarks for order filling and stock management, monitoring team adherence and driving continuous improvement.Vendor and requisition process oversight — oversee incoming requisition and outgoing order record systems at an organizational level, ensuring compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.Safety and compliance program leadership — lead the development and enforcement of material-handling safety and equipment certification programs across multiple shifts or locations.Customer service policy direction — set standards and train staff on merchandise advisement and customer engagement practices that align with organizational service goals.Cross-departmental operational coordination — align stocking and order fulfillment activities with receiving, purchasing, and sales departments to support organizational inventory accuracy and availability targets.Technology adoption leadership — evaluate and champion new warehouse technologies, including voice recognition and RF systems, to optimize picking and stocking efficiency at scale.Organizational culture of dependability — model and reinforce workplace values of integrity, cooperation, and attention to detail, shaping a dependable, high-performing fulfillment team culture.
Also known as
375 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Merchandise StockerOil House AttendantParts ClassifierReset MerchandiserPaint Stock ClerkEarly Morning Stock AssociateToolmanStock TracerFuels Superintendent (Air Force 2F091)Stockroom AssociateWarehouse LoaderPerpetual Inventory ClerkOrdnance Quality Assurance/Safety Observer (Marine Corps 6516)Warehouse Freight HandlerAircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman, Non-Ejection Seat Aircraft (Air Force 1P071B)Supply SpecialistPricerAircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-130J (Air Force 1A271C)Template ClerkIn-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-10 (Air Force 1A071F)Stock AssociatePrescription Clerk, Lens-and-FramesStorekeeper (Coast Guard SK)Mobility Force Aviator, C-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A1X2D)Delivery Stock ClerkMobility Force Aviator, KC-135 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A1X2H)Grocery AssociateAircrew Flight Equipment Helper (Air Force 1P011)Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician (Marine Corps 6541)Weapons Administrator (Navy 003730)Bay StockerWarehouse Team MemberFulfillment RepresentativeReplenishment AssociateParts Order ClerkCut File ClerkTool Crib ClerkMerchandise CoordinatorAircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-130H (Air Force 1A231E)Warehouse Record Clerk