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Office Clerk

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All About Office Clerks

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

  • Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
  • Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
  • Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
  • Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
  • Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
  • Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as 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.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Other Office Clerk Job Titles

  • General Office Clerk
  • Media Clerk
  • Administration Clerk
  • History Card Clerk
  • Desk Clerk

Is There Job Demand for Office Clerks?

There were about 3,117,700 jobs for Office Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Office Clerk. The BLS estimates 356,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of an Office Clerk

The salary for Office Clerks ranges between about $20,470 and $53,510 a year.

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Office Clerks who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Office Clerks 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

What Tools & Technology do Office Clerks Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Office Clerks may use on a daily basis:

  • 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
  • Facebook
  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Google Docs

How to Become an Office Clerk

Learn what Office Clerk education requirements there are.

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Office Clerk?

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Who Employs Office Clerks?

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Office Clerks work in the following industries:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being an Office Clerk may also be interested in:

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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