Description

File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

Interests

Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Relationships
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Integrity
Independence

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.
Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
Answer questions about records or files.

Work Activities

Working with Computers
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Getting Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Detailed Work Activities

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Technology Skills

Electronic mail software
Presentation software
Document management software
Spreadsheet software
Medical software

Abilities

Information Ordering
Category Flexibility
Near Vision
Written Comprehension
Oral Comprehension

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Service Orientation

Knowledge

Administrative
English Language
Computers and Electronics
Customer and Personal Service

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to File Clerks:

This information is currently unavailable.

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$35,077
Median (50%)	$41,332
High (90%)	$54,490

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$42,766
Mid Level	$48,742
Senior Level	$62,504
Expert Level	N/A

Employability

There are currently 87,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 73,900 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -15%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -15%

Related Careers

Administrative Services Managers

Median Annual Income

$122,090

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

Medical Records Specialists

Median Annual Income

$51,876

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.

ConventionalInvestigative

Billing and Posting Clerks

Median Annual Income

$47,135

Projected Job Growth

+1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Compile, compute, and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Prepare billing invoices for services rendered or for delivery or shipment of goods.

Conventional

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Median Annual Income

$46,579

Projected Job Growth

-5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

Some college, no degree

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

ConventionalEnterprising

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Median Annual Income

$52,406

Projected Job Growth

-15 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

ConventionalEnterprising

Correspondence Clerks

Median Annual Income

$41,952

Projected Job Growth

-7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

ConventionalEnterprising

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Median Annual Income

$54,464

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Data Entry Keyers

Median Annual Income

$41,921

Projected Job Growth

-25 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.

ConventionalRealistic

Word Processors and Typists

Median Annual Income

$48,344

Projected Job Growth

-38 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned.

Conventional

Office Clerks, General

Median Annual Income

$41,246

Projected Job Growth

-6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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, office machine operation, and filing.

Conventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.