General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records. Rather than performing a single specialized task, general office clerks have responsibilities that often change daily with the current needs of the employer.
Some clerks file documents or answer phones; others enter data into computers or perform other tasks using software applications. They also frequently use photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and other office equipment.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records. Rather than performing a single specialized task, general office clerks have responsibilities that often change daily with the current needs of the employer.
Some clerks file documents or answer phones; others enter data into computers or perform other tasks using software applications. They also frequently use photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and other office equipment.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Job prospects are expected to be good because of the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.
Employment projections data for general office clerks, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Office Clerks, General | 43-9061 | 3,117,700 | 3,086,000 | -1 | -31,800 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for general office clerks, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Office Clerks, General |
| SOC Code |
| 43-9061 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 3,117,700 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 3,086,000 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| -1 |
| NUMERIC |
| -31,800 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median hourly wage for general office clerks was $15.14 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.55, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.80.
In May 2017, the median hourly wages for general office clerks in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Government | $16.83 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $15.87 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance | $15.11 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $13.98 |
| Educational Services; State, Local, and Private | $13.96 |
Most general office clerks worked full time in 2016 but about 1 in 4 worked part time.
General Office Clerks
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of general office clerks is projected to show little or no change from 2016 to 2026. Employment growth will vary by industry.
An aging population is expected to drive employment growth in healthcare, and more general office clerks will be needed to handle administrative tasks related to billing and insurance processing in this sector. On the other hand, employment in the manufacturing sector is projected to decline over the next decade, so manufacturing firms are expected to need fewer general office clerks.
Some tasks of office clerks have been affected by technology. For example, many organizations maintain electronic documents or use automated phone systems, reducing the need for some general office clerks.
General Office Clerks
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for General Office Clerks
Similar Occupations
| Occupational Title | Job duties | Entry-Level education | 2017 Median pay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. | Some College, No Degree | $39,240 |
 |
Customer Service Representatives | Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $32,890 |
 |
Information Clerks | Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers. | See How to Become One | $33,680 |
 |
Material Recording Clerks | Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $27,600 |
 |
Receptionists | Receptionists perform administrative tasks, such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing general information about their organization to the public and customers. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $28,390 |
 |
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff. | High School Diploma or Equivalent | $37,870 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Some College, No Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $39,240 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Customer Service Representatives |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $32,890 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Information Clerks |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| See How to Become On |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $33,680 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Material Recording Clerks |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $27,600 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Receptionists |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Receptionists perform administrative tasks, such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing general information about their organization to the public and customers. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $28,390 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $37,870 |
Free Staffing Resources
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
-
National Association of Personnel Services
-
Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
-
American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
-
National Association of Executive Recruiters
-
National Association for Health Care Recruitment
-
Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
-
American Staffing Association
-
Top Echelon Recruiting Network
