| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Receive, unload, open, unpack, or issue sales floor merchandise. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Answer customers' questions about merchandise and advise customers on merchandise selection. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Dispose of damaged or defective items, or return them to vendors. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Stock shelves, racks, cases, bins, and tables with new or transferred merchandise. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Receive and count stock items, and record data manually or on computer. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in warehouses, tool rooms, supply rooms, or other areas. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms, warehouses, or storage yards. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment, and storage areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Read orders to ascertain catalog numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of merchandise. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Obtain merchandise from bins or shelves. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Clean display cases, shelves, and aisles. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Keep records of out-going orders. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Issue or distribute materials, products, parts, and supplies to customers or coworkers, based on information from incoming requisitions. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Examine and inspect stock items for wear or defects, reporting any damage to supervisors. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Provide assistance or direction to other stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard workers. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Stamp, attach, or change price tags on merchandise, referring to price list. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Determine proper storage methods, identification, and stock location, based on turnover, environmental factors, and physical capabilities of facilities. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Recommend disposal of excess, defective, or obsolete stock. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Keep records on the use or damage of stock or stock-handling equipment. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Take inventory or examine merchandise to identify items to be reordered or replenished. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Complete order receipts. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Pack customer purchases in bags or cartons. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Mark stock items, using identification tags, stamps, electric marking tools, or other labeling equipment. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Operate equipment such as forklifts. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Design and set up advertising signs and displays of merchandise on shelves, counters, or tables to attract customers and promote sales. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Stockers and Order Fillers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Stockers and Order Fillers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: 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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Stockers and Order Fillers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
2,223,000U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
2,319,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
96,700 (4.4%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
360,500
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Transport packages to customers' vehicles. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Itemize and total customer merchandise selection at checkout counter, using cash register, and accept cash or charge card for purchases. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Compute prices of items or groups of items. |
| Importance: 49 (%) | Description: Compare merchandise invoices to items actually received to ensure that shipments are correct. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Requisition merchandise from supplier, based on available space, merchandise on hand, customer demand, or advertised specials. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Advise others on business or operational matters. | |
| Attach identification information to products, items or containers. | |
| Calculate costs of goods or services. | |
| Clean facilities or equipment. | |
| Collect deposits, payments or fees. | |
| Deliver items. | |
| Discuss goods or services information with customers or patrons. | |
| Distribute materials to employees or customers. | |
| Inspect items for damage or defects. | |
| Inspect shipments to ensure correct order fulfillment. | |
| Maintain operational records. | |
| Monitor inventories of products or materials. | |
| Operate forklifts or other loaders. | |
| Order materials, supplies, or equipment. | |
| Package objects for shipping. | |
| Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance. | |
| Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements. | |
| Receive shipments. | |
| Record shipping information. | |
| Remove debris or damaged materials. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
| Set up merchandise displays. | |
| Stock supplies or merchandise. | |
| Store items. | |
| Store records or related materials. | |
| Unload materials or equipment. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters. |
| Activity: Arrange displays or decorations. |
| Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas. |
| Activity: Collect fares or payments. |
| Activity: Determine values or prices of goods or services. |
| Activity: Dispose of waste or debris. |
| Activity: Distribute materials, supplies, or resources. |
| Activity: Explain technical details of products or services. |
| Activity: Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products. |
| Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products. |
| Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Mark materials or objects for identification. |
| Activity: Monitor resources or inventories. |
| Activity: Move materials, equipment, or supplies. |
| Activity: Operate lifting or moving equipment. |
| Activity: Package objects. |
| Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Purchase goods or services. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
| Activity: Stock supplies or products. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Microsoft Access |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: |
| SAP software |
| Internet browser software: |
| Apple Safari Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Operating system software: |
| Microsoft Windows |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Google Docs Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Calendar and scheduling software: |
| Work scheduling software |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Data entry software |
| Desktop communications software: |
| Eko |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Email software |
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: |
| Microsoft Dynamics GP Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne |
| Inventory management software: |
| Inventory management systems Inventory tracking software Ordering software |
| Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software: |
| Warehouse management system WMS |
| Operating system software: |
| Handheld computer device software |
| Voice synthesizer and recognition software: |
| Voice picking software |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 56.6 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 29.6 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.8 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.7 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 29.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 24.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 19.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) | |
|
Warehousing Education and Research Council | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Stockers and Order Fillers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Stockers and Order Fillers
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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