What is an Office Clerk?
Career Description Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.
Daily Life Of an Office Clerk
- Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
- Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
- Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
- Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
- Deliver messages and run errands.
- Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
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Skills Needed to be an Office Clerk
When polled, Office Clerks say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Office Clerk
- Broadcast Checker
- Desk Clerk
- Audit Control Clerk
- Stubber
- Office Coordinator
Is There Job Demand for Office Clerks?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 3,117,700 jobs in the United States for Office Clerk. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Office Clerk. The BLS estimates 356,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Office Clerk are Utah, Colorado, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Office Clerk Salary
Office Clerks make between $20,470 and $53,510 a year.

Office Clerks who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Office Clerks make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $25,800 |
Alaska | $46,250 |
Arizona | $37,730 |
Arkansas | $30,020 |
California | $38,060 |
Colorado | $40,840 |
Connecticut | $38,340 |
Delaware | $30,370 |
District of Columbia | $45,140 |
Florida | $32,920 |
Georgia | $30,590 |
Hawaii | $34,050 |
Idaho | $31,520 |
Illinois | $37,220 |
Indiana | $33,510 |
Iowa | $35,130 |
Kansas | $29,360 |
Kentucky | $29,520 |
Louisiana | $25,460 |
Maine | $34,340 |
Maryland | $35,350 |
Massachusetts | $40,190 |
Michigan | $35,410 |
Minnesota | $37,820 |
Mississippi | $28,290 |
Missouri | $32,600 |
Montana | $33,350 |
Nebraska | $30,880 |
Nevada | $36,690 |
New Hampshire | $40,040 |
New Jersey | $35,450 |
New Mexico | $25,460 |
New York | $35,410 |
North Carolina | $32,270 |
North Dakota | $39,950 |
Ohio | $35,060 |
Oklahoma | $28,510 |
Oregon | $36,700 |
Pennsylvania | $35,460 |
Rhode Island | $37,930 |
South Carolina | $27,810 |
South Dakota | $26,210 |
Tennessee | $34,140 |
Texas | $36,210 |
Utah | $32,950 |
Vermont | $34,900 |
Virginia | $34,940 |
Washington | $40,260 |
West Virginia | $28,950 |
Wisconsin | $35,410 |
Wyoming | $36,930 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Office Clerks
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Office Clerks:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Spreadsheet software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
Becoming an Office Clerk
Individuals working as an Office Clerk have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Office Clerks Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Office Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Office Clerk sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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