How long does it take to become a Stock Clerk?

It takes one year or less to become a stock clerk. That is the time it takes to learn specific stock clerk skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

How To Become A Stock Clerk: What It Is and Career Path

What is a stock clerk and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A stock clerk manages and organizes inventory in a retail or warehouse setting. They receive and store products, restock shelves, and track inventory levels. Stock clerks also assist with shipping and receiving orders, inspecting goods, and maintaining a clean environment. They may use computer programs to manage inventory and communicate with other departments. The role requires organizational skills and attention to detail. A stock clerk works behind the scenes to keep businesses running smoothly.

ScoreStock ClerkUS Average

Salary

2.3

Avg. Salary $29,226

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.1

Growth Rate 1%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.01%

Asian 6.95%

Black or African American 9.88%

Hispanic or Latino 19.93%

Unknown 5.63%

White 56.60%

Gender

female 36.30%

male 63.70%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress Level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.1

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Stock Clerk?

Pros

Flexible scheduling
Opportunity for overtime pay
Good entry-level job
Opportunities for advancement
Potential employee discounts

Cons

Low pay compared to other jobs
May require working during holidays or weekends
Limited customer interaction
Possible exposure to hazardous materials or chemicals
Work may be stressful during busy times of the year, such as holidays

Key steps to become a stock clerk

Explore stock clerk education requirements

Most common stock clerk degrees

High School Diploma

44.2 %

Bachelor's

22.8 %

Associate

18.0 %

Start to develop specific stock clerk skills

Skills	Percentages
Stock Shelves	12.39%
Customer Service	10.20%
Basic Math	8.87%
Math	8.19%
Cleanliness	7.47%

Complete relevant stock clerk training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New stock clerks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a stock clerk based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real stock clerk resumes.

Research stock clerk duties and responsibilities

Assist customers unloading and reloading trucks scanning customers groceries and customer service
Perform essential duties such as customer service, restocking merchandise, inventory management and maintaining store cleanliness.
Gain respect of peers and management through commitment to upholding company policies and maintaining cleanliness of facility and following safety regulations.
Stock shelves and run the cash register.

Prepare your stock clerk resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your stock clerk resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a stock clerk resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Stock Clerk Resume templates

Build a professional Stock Clerk resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Stock Clerk resume.

Apply for stock clerk jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a stock clerk job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do stock clerks rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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1 Star

Stock Clerk reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019

Pros

Fast pace, dealing with customer service, work is always changing