Office Clerks, General

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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, office machine operation, and filing.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $45,010/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$30,310$64,680

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -6.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 282,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCoordinationCritical ThinkingService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementMonitoring

Top knowledge areas

AdministrativeEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsEconomics and AccountingPublic Safety and Security

Core tasks

• Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.

• Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.

• Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.

• 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.

• Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.

• Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.

• Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Office Clerks, General?

The median pay for Office Clerks, General is $45,010 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Office Clerks, General?

Employment for Office Clerks, General is projected to change -6.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Office Clerks, General?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Office Clerks, General?

About 282,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.