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.
Correspondence Clerks
SOC: 43-4021 O*NET: 43-4021.00
Median Salary
$46,740
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Correspondence Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,530
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,510
25th percentile
Median
$46,740
50th percentile
Experienced
$52,480
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,530
25th
$38,510
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,740
Mean: $46,610
75th
$52,480
90th
$62,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,670 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,510 and $52,480
- •Salary spread is 29.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 6,260 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,900
Top Industries
Finance and Insurance19.6%
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing15.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services14.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5.6%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,900
Current
2034 (Projected)6,500
-5.6%
-400
Employment Change
-5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Correspondence Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 30 locations
Texas
1,540 jobs$43,7502.74x
New York
600 jobs$47,6601.54x
California
340 jobs$53,0600.47x
South Carolina
200 jobs$41,5402.21x
Pennsylvania
180 jobs$46,7100.72x
Georgia
170 jobs$00.85x
Florida
150 jobs$43,7000.36x
Tennessee
120 jobs$39,3700.87x
Michigan
110 jobs$00.64x
Indiana
110 jobs$45,0400.86x
Louisiana
100 jobs$40,4801.34x
Oregon
90 jobs$52,0001.07x
Utah
90 jobs$45,9001.27x
Iowa
80 jobs$01.21x
Missouri
70 jobs$41,3200.62x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
92%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
78%
#5
Critical Thinking
70%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
62%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
56%
#8
Service Orientation
48%
#9
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.9
78%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.5
70%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.1
62%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.8
56%
Service Orientation
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage100%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers90%
5 shared skills
Physical Therapists90%
5 shared skills
File Clerks80%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General80%
5 shared skills
Couriers and Messengers78%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Correspondence Clerks
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Epic Systems
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (7)Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (9)
1
Prepare documents and correspondence, such as damage claims, credit and billing inquiries, invoices, and service complaints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Compile data from records to prepare periodic reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Present clear and concise explanations of governing rules and regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers' concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Type acknowledgment letters to persons sending correspondence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Review correspondence for format and typographical accuracy, assemble the information into a prescribed form with the correct number of copies, and submit it to an authorized official for signature.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Complete form letters in response to requests or problems identified by correspondence.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Route correspondence to other departments for reply.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Correspondence Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Correspondence Clerks professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Correspondence Clerks
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.80
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.60
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.56
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.18
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.17
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.09
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Initiative
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Independence
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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