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Produce Clerk Salary in the United States

How much does a Produce Clerk make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Produce Clerk in the United States is $35,214 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Produce Clerk's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,032
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,935 to $37,736
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,860
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Produce Clerk Salaries

A Produce Clerk's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Produce Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Produce Clerk's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,044
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $35,289
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $35,854
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,967
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,042
Levels Salary
Entry Level Produce Clerk$35,044
Intermediate Level Produce Clerk$35,289
Senior Level Produce Clerk$35,854
Specialist Level Produce Clerk$35,967
Expert Level Produce Clerk$36,042
View as Graph

How Do Produce Clerk Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Produce Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $38,989.
  • California: $38,841.
  • Massachusetts: $38,323.

Top Paying Cities for Produce Clerks

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $44,415
  • San Francisco: $43,929
  • Oakland: $43,003

What Skills Can Increase a Produce Clerk's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 23.86% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Developing and promoting acquaintance, empowerment, and integration of each unique individual to create a productive and safe working environment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 23.86%
Product Knowledge 2.98%
Diversity and Inclusion 1.17%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Produce Clerk's salary.

  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
WFM $40,144
14%
Quality Assurance $39,792
13%
Preventive Maintenance $39,792
13%
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Produce Clerk Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Produce Clerk salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $38,478. While startup companies pay approximate $32,478.

Produce Clerk Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $32,478
Growth Stage 51~500 $34,365
Established 501~5000 $37,138
Enterprise 5000+ $38,478

How Education impacts a Produce Clerk's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Produce Clerk enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Produce Clerk with a Bachelor's Degree is between $34,543 and $37,341.

Produce Clerk Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Produce Clerk
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.0%
High School 44.0%
Associates 12.0%
Bachelors 24.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Produce Clerk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Produce Clerk's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$32,935
Average $35,214/year
$37,736
$2,745
Average $2,935/month
$3,145
$633
Average $677/week
$726
$16
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $37,736 $3,145 $726 $18
Average $35,214 $2,935 $677 $17
25th Percentile $32,935 $2,745 $633 $16

Produce Clerk Salary Growth & Career Path

Produce Clerk

Next Role

Advancement

For a Produce Clerk, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Retail Sales Staff role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $39,416 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Produce Clerk

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Produce Clerk

Here are companies hiring for Produce Clerk and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Produce Clerk

1. Where can a Produce Clerk earn the most?

A Produce Clerk's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Produce Clerk earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Produce Clerk is $44,415.

2. What is the highest pay for Produce Clerk?

The highest pay for Produce Clerk is $40,032.

3. What is the lowest pay for Produce Clerk?

The lowest pay for Produce Clerk is $30,860.

4. What are the responsibilities of Produce Clerk?

Responsible for assisting customers in the produce department of a grocery store. Answers questions and helps patrons find requested produce items. Prepares items for display, ensures that display cases are adequately stocked and ensures freshness of produce. Handles produce items in a safe manner and ensures that the department is always clean and neat. May require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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