What Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks this way: "Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities"; "Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes"; "Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering"; "Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays"; "Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 392,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 387,100 in 2035, a decrease of 5,000 jobs (-1.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 32,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,650, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks earn the most
Across the 8 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,448 in Texas to $76,758 in Washington, a gap of $21,311 (1.38 times). 4 of those 8 states average above the BLS national median of $59,650 and 4 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 54,130, which is 23.4% of the 231,770 counted across them. New York follows with 40,500.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($76,758), California ($64,512) and New Jersey ($62,935) lead the ranking, while Texas ($55,448) and Georgia ($56,617) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks: pay against the cost of living
We compare 9 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in King County, WA (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA) at $32,922. The smallest margin is $9,101 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 9 of the 9 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.1% and 65.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-5000) include Postal Service Mail Carriers, Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators, Cargo and Freight Agents and Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance.
Frequently asked questions about Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
What is the national median wage for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,650. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,448 to $76,758.
Which state pays Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $76,758. California is next at $64,512.
What is the job outlook for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 1.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 32,600 openings a year.
What education do Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, King County, WA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $32,922 on a median wage of $81,850.