What Do Office Clerk Do?
Occupation 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.
Office Clerk Responsibilities
- Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
- Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
- Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
- Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
- Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
- Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
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Office Clerk Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Office Clerks say are important on the job.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Blood Bank Calendar Control Clerk
- Floor Space Allocator
- Principal Clerk
- Program Support Clerk
- Admissions Evaluator
Is There Job Demand for Office Clerks?
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.
Office Clerk Salary
The average yearly salary of an Office Clerk ranges between $20,470 and $53,510.

Office Clerks who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Office Clerks make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Office Clerks
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Office Clerks:
- 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
Individuals working as an Office Clerk have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Office Clerk?

Where Office Clerks Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Office Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:
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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