How to hire a parts counter clerk

How to hire a parts counter clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step parts counter clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a parts counter clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new parts counter clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a parts counter clerk do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a parts counter clerk, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect parts counter clerk also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of parts counter clerks and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Parts Counter Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Parts Counter Clerk	Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.	$12-20
   Clerk	Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies... Show more	$11-18
   Parts Driver	Parts delivery drivers work for a machine parts distributor or an auto parts outlet. Usually, delivery drivers deliver to repair shops and local dealerships for inventory replenishment... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Parts Counter
   • Phone Calls
   • POS
   • Inventory Control
   • Customer Orders
   • Repair Orders
   • Body Shop
   • Gross Profit
   • Parts Inventory
   • Part Numbers
   • Counter Sales
   • Data Entry
   • Parts Sales

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
   • Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
   • Deliver items to customers, whether they are a dealership, bodyshop or regular customer.

   More parts counter clerk duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your parts counter clerk job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A parts counter clerk can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, parts counter clerks' average salary in florida is 43% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level parts counter clerks 36% less than senior-level parts counter clerks.
   • Certifications. A parts counter clerk with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a parts counter clerk's salary.

   Average parts counter clerk salary

   $16.40hourly

   $34,122 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level parts counter clerk salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average parts counter clerk salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Illinois	$39,724	$19
   2	California	$39,475	$19
   3	Maryland	$38,709	$19
   4	New York	$38,382	$18
   5	Colorado	$37,018	$18
   6	Iowa	$35,820	$17
   7	Indiana	$35,323	$17
   8	Ohio	$35,135	$17
   9	Virginia	$35,050	$17
   10	Michigan	$34,503	$17
   11	South Dakota	$33,817	$16
   12	North Carolina	$31,489	$15
   13	Tennessee	$31,048	$15
   14	Kentucky	$29,931	$14
   15	Texas	$29,499	$14
   16	Georgia	$27,632	$13

   Average parts counter clerk salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Freightliner Trucks	$39,812	$19.14	4
   2	Subaru	$39,786	$19.13	6
   3	Kirby	$38,367	$18.45	12
   4	Komatsu America Corp.	$38,256	$18.39	4
   5	Gerald Group	$37,837	$18.19
   6	Bruce Transportation Group	$37,391	$17.98
   7	Al Hendrickson Toyota Scion	$37,387	$17.97
   8	Fabick Cat	$36,885	$17.73	4
   9	Patten Cat	$36,732	$17.66
   10	OPEN ROAD	$36,636	$17.61
   11	Earnhardt Auto Centers	$36,357	$17.48
   12	Hyman Bros. Automobiles	$35,474	$17.05	4
   13	Factory Direct, Inc	$35,284	$16.96
   14	Transwest	$35,248	$16.95	3
   15	Alliance Material Handling	$34,727	$16.70
   16	Park Ave Motor Corp	$34,686	$16.68
   17	IT TECHNOLOGY	$34,642	$16.65
   18	Foley Equipment	$34,627	$16.65
   19	Volvo Cars	$33,958	$16.33	8
   20	Mercedes-Benz of Escondido	$33,935	$16.31	12

4. Writing a parts counter clerk job description

   A job description for a parts counter clerk role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a parts counter clerk job description:

   Parts counter clerk job description example

   ITS ConGlobal is the industry-leading provider of intermodal rail terminal services, autoloading and unloading and container depot services. We take pride in consistently delivering superior and reliable service, a broad scope of services and an exemplary safety record. We're currently seeking a Parts Counter/Warehouse Clerk.
   
   The Parts Counter/Warehouse Clerk's primary role is creating and maintaining a strong relationship between the company and the customer.
   Responsibilities · Performs daily cycle counts
   · Completes unsupervised accurate part number research, using parts manuals, schematics, and various written material · Conducts daily safety observations
   · Handles all types of customer parts phone inquiries in a diplomatic, friendly and businesslike manner
   · Ability to pick, pack, and ship parts in a timely and accurate manner (must be able to lift 50 lbs.) · Performs daily, weekly, and monthly inspections · Controls, documents and implements safety programs
   · Accurately invoice customers
   · Manages the purchase order process and complies with all corporate policies and procedures
   · Maintains customer order records for on-time processing, shipping, and billing
   · Monitors and acknowledges customer transactions with appropriate documentation
   · Enters appropriate inventory information into the computer in a timely and accurate manner
   · Delivers parts as necessary (including to vessels)
   · Codes approves, processes and researches vendor invoices for payment
   · Performs other duties as assigned
   This is an exciting time at ITS and we're growing our team! We offer full-time employees the following; career growth, competitive compensation, benefits, 401K & vacation. Qualifications · Must have a high school diploma or equivalent education · Should be computer literate familiar with Microsoft software · Energetic and customer driven · Good organizational skills · Minimum 6 months previous parts experience required · Effective verbal and written communications · Courteous customer communication skills · Must have a valid driver's license · Ability to obtain TWIC card or currently possesses one · Previous experience driving company vehicle and forklift a plus

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find parts counter clerks for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any parts counter clerks they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level parts counter clerks with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your parts counter clerk job on Zippia to find and attract quality parts counter clerk candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit parts counter clerks, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new parts counter clerk

   Once you have selected a candidate for the parts counter clerk position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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