What Do Office Clerk Do?
Job 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.
A Day in the Life of an Office Clerk
- Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
- Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
- Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
- Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
- Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
- Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
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Office Clerk Skills
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.
Types of Office Clerk
- Automobile Contract Clerk
- Laboratory Clerk
- Circulation Clerk
- Police Clerk
- Process Server
Office Clerk Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 3,117,700 jobs for Office Clerk in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Office Clerk. There will be an estimated 356,200 positions for Office Clerk per year.

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 typical yearly salary for Office Clerks is somewhere between $20,470 and $53,510.

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
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
How to Become an Office Clerk
What education is needed to be an Office Clerk?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Office Clerk?

Where Office Clerks Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Office Clerks work:

Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Office Clerk may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Office Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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