Order Clerks
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 8 of 19 tasks
Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 7.7% of the role's time · $289M · all three pass it
Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 7.4% of the role's time · $278M · all three pass it
Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 7.3% of the role's time · $275M · all three pass it
Compute total charges for merchandise or services and shipping charges.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 5.8% of the role's time · $217M · all three pass it
Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 5.5% of the role's time · $206M · all three pass it
Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.5% of the role's time · $170M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Adjust inventory records to reflect product movement.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.1% of the role's time · $115M · all three pass it
Calculate and compile order-related statistics, and prepare reports for management.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.0% of the role's time · $113M · all three pass it
Does not pass
Receive and respond to customer complaints.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 8.6% of the role's time · $322M
Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 7.7% of the role's time · $290M
Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications.
physical work, outside the screen · 7.1% of the role's time · $268M
Inform customers by mail or telephone of order information, such as unit prices, shipping dates, and any anticipated delays.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.8% of the role's time · $220M · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
File copies of orders received, or post orders on records.
physical work, outside the screen · 5.4% of the role's time · $201M
Confer with production, sales, shipping, warehouse, or common carrier personnel to expedite or trace shipments.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.4% of the role's time · $167M
Direct specified departments or units to prepare and ship orders to designated locations.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.3% of the role's time · $162M
Attempt to sell additional merchandise or services to prospective or current customers by telephone or through visits.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.8% of the role's time · $142M · waiting on a check
Recommend type of packing or labeling needed on order.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.2% of the role's time · $122M · waiting on a check
Collect payment for merchandise, record transactions, and send items, such as checks or money orders for further processing.
physical work, outside the screen · 2.7% of the role's time · $102M
Notify departments when supplies of specific items are low, or when orders would deplete available supplies.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.6% of the role's time · $98.8M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 6960 | $345M | $153M | $137M |
| Warehousing and Storage | 5870 | $273M | $121M | $108M |
| Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only) | 4580 | $209M | $92.5M | $83.0M |
| Business Support Services | 3900 | $186M | $82.4M | $74.0M |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 2680 | $135M | $59.6M | $53.5M |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2180 | $109M | $48.3M | $43.3M |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 2090 | $108M | $47.6M | $42.7M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | 2360 | $107M | $47.3M | $42.4M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | 2440 | $102M | $45.1M | $40.5M |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | 1840 | $97.1M | $43.0M | $38.6M |