Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Stockers and order fillers keep products moving through the supply chain and into customers’ hands. National employment is large at 2,765,000 workers, and projected employment growth is 8.5%, indicating expanding demand. With an estimated 472,000 annual openings, this role can offer frequent entry points for new workers, career changers, and those reentering the workforce. The national median annual salary is $37,090, with higher medians available in some states and metro areas. Typical entry requires no formal educational credential, making this a more accessible path for people who want to start earning without first completing a degree. Strong opportunities exist across multiple states, including California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, as well as major metro areas such as San Jose, New York City, and San Francisco. For individuals who bring physical strength and stamina, basic customer service abilities, and the willingness to develop skills in technology, communication, and leadership, this occupation can provide a stable and widely available employment option.
Stockers and order fillers earn a national median annual salary of $37,090. Pay levels vary by location, and several states offer higher median salaries. For example, California has a median salary of $42,870, Colorado offers $42,350, and Washington reports a median of $44,620. In Massachusetts and New York, median salaries are $37,540 and $39,030, respectively, close to or moderately above the national median. Metro-level data show additional variation. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro reports a median salary of $45,130, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA sits at $44,970. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro has a median of $37,870, while the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metros report $37,700 and $38,600. Together, these figures show that earnings can differ meaningfully by region, with several coastal states and metros providing higher typical pay.
Stockers and order fillers represent a large workforce, with national employment of 2,765,000. Projected employment growth of 8.5% suggests the occupation is expected to expand over time. In addition, there are an estimated 472,000 annual openings, reflecting both growth and turnover, and creating ongoing entry points for job seekers. The same 8.5% projected growth rate appears in several leading states—California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington—as well as top metro areas such as San Jose, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton. This consistent growth percentage across states and metros indicates a broadly positive outlook rather than one limited to a single region. For individuals considering this path, the combination of high employment levels, notable projected growth, and a large number of annual openings suggests sustained demand for stockers and order fillers nationwide.
Geography plays a significant role in the opportunity profile for stockers and order fillers. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $42,870, employment of 310,870, projected growth of 8.5%, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also rank high, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $37,540 and $39,030. Colorado and Washington combine solid employment bases and the same 8.5% projected growth, with Washington offering the highest listed state median salary at $44,620. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a median salary of $44,970. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro is close behind with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $38,600. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports both a high median salary of $45,130 and a strong opportunity score of 68.75. These differences show that both pay and opportunity scores can vary meaningfully by region.
Stockers and order fillers typically need no formal educational credential, which can make this occupation accessible to people who want to enter the workforce quickly. Instead of formal schooling, success in this role leans heavily on a mix of physical, technical, and interpersonal skills. Physical strength and stamina are central, reflecting the active nature of the work. Customer service and interpersonal skills support effective interactions with others, while speaking and listening skills help with clear communication. Fine motor and mechanical skills contribute to handling products and equipment with care and precision. Competence with computers and information technology is also important, as many workplaces use digital tools. Mathematics and science skills can support understanding quantities and basic problem-solving. Leadership skills can help workers take initiative and coordinate with colleagues. Building and demonstrating this combination of abilities can be an important way to stand out and grow within this field, even without a formal degree.
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