What Stockers and Order Fillers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Stockers and Order Fillers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Complete order receipts"; "Obtain merchandise from bins or shelves"; "Read orders to ascertain catalog numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of merchandise"; "Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms, warehouses, or storage yards"; "Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in warehouses, tool rooms, supply rooms, or other areas".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Stockers and Order Fillers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,804,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 3,055,000 in 2035, an increase of 250,700 jobs (+8.9%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 430,700 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 15.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,330, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Stockers and Order Fillers earn the most
Across the 41 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $33,969 in Alabama to $44,492 in Washington, a gap of $10,524 (1.31 times). 15 of those 41 states average above the BLS national median of $37,330 and 26 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 317,260, which is 9.1% of the 3,483,830 counted across them. California follows with 290,490.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($44,492), Colorado ($43,268) and Oregon ($42,365) lead the ranking, while Alabama ($33,969) and Oklahoma ($34,468) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Stockers and Order Fillers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 90 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 Summit County, OH (Akron, OH) at $13,511. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $9,260 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 81 of the 90 markets and falls short in 9. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 35.6% and 103.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Stockers and Order Fillers
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, Packers and Packagers, Hand and Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (53-7000) include Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators.
Frequently asked questions about Stockers and Order Fillers
How much do Stockers and Order Fillers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,330. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $33,969 to $44,492.
Which state pays Stockers and Order Fillers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $44,492. Colorado is next at $43,268.
Is Stockers and Order Fillers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 8.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 430,700 openings a year.
What education do Stockers and Order Fillers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Stockers and Order Fillers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Summit County, OH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $13,511 on a median wage of $37,600.