What Does it Take to Be a Correspondence Clerk?

Correspondence Clerk Example 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.

Life As a Correspondence Clerk

• Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
• Route correspondence to other departments for reply.
• Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary.
• Type acknowledgment letters to persons sending correspondence.
• Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers’ concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
• Compute costs of records furnished to requesters, and write letters to obtain payment.

What a Correspondence Clerk Should Know

When polled, Correspondence Clerks say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related Job Titles

• Dispute Resolution Analyst
• Dispute Resolution Specialist
• Membership Correspondent
• Costumer
• Medical Authorization Specialist

Is There Going to be Demand for Correspondence Clerks?

There were about 7,200 jobs for Correspondence Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.8% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Correspondence Clerk by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Correspondence Clerk are Oregon, Oklahoma, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Colorado, Illinois, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Correspondence Clerk Make?

The typical yearly salary for Correspondence Clerks is somewhere between $24,460 and $56,550.

Correspondence Clerks who work in Rhode Island, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Correspondence Clerks make in each U.S. state?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$29,640
Arizona	$42,990
California	$45,530
Colorado	$40,620
Connecticut	$41,470
Florida	$38,880
Georgia	$44,360
Hawaii	$38,260
Illinois	$36,600
Indiana	$30,600
Iowa	$29,840
Kansas	$37,610
Louisiana	$43,360
Maine	$35,920
Maryland	$42,440
Massachusetts	$44,930
Michigan	$31,580
Missouri	$36,350
New Hampshire	$36,510
New Jersey	$45,370
New York	$43,140
North Carolina	$38,700
Ohio	$32,630
Oklahoma	$37,540
Oregon	$39,000
Pennsylvania	$41,490
Rhode Island	$46,820
South Carolina	$40,930
South Dakota	$29,110
Tennessee	$39,240
Texas	$41,750
Virginia	$40,290
Washington	$32,300

What Tools do Correspondence Clerks Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Correspondence Clerks:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Data entry software
• SAP
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Electronic health record EHR software

Becoming a Correspondence Clerk

What education is needed to be a Correspondence Clerk?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Correspondence Clerks Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Correspondence Clerks work:

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Correspondence Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:

• Credit Checkers

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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More about our data sources and methodologies.