File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
File Clerks
SOC: 43-4071 O*NET: 43-4071.00
Median Salary
$41,270
per year
Job Growth
📉 -15.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
What does a File Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,620
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,120
25th percentile
Median
$41,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$50,020
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,080
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,620
25th
$35,120
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,270
Mean: $43,700
75th
$50,020
90th
$61,080
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,460 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,120 and $50,020
- •Salary spread is 36.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 78,980 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:84,300
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18.7%
Legal Services12.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-15.9%
Annual Openings:7,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)84,300
Current
2034 (Projected)70,900
-15.9%
-13,400
Employment Change
-15.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where File Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
12,820 jobs$37,4001.81x
California
9,740 jobs$46,9201.05x
Florida
6,350 jobs$39,3501.26x
New York
4,450 jobs$43,0600.91x
Illinois
3,740 jobs$46,3201.20x
Tennessee
2,750 jobs$41,9701.64x
New Jersey
2,690 jobs$44,5301.24x
Pennsylvania
2,570 jobs$41,2300.84x
North Carolina
2,210 jobs$43,4500.88x
Arizona
2,110 jobs$41,3901.29x
Georgia
2,100 jobs$37,5200.84x
Michigan
2,090 jobs$42,6400.93x
Indiana
1,970 jobs$38,7901.21x
Ohio
1,920 jobs$42,6200.68x
Wisconsin
1,660 jobs$44,6501.11x
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
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
92%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Writing
78%
#5
Monitoring
70%
#6
Service Orientation
62%
#7
Critical Thinking
56%
#8
Time Management
48%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate3.9
78%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.1
62%
Critical Thinking
basic2.8
56%
Time Management
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:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Animal Control Workers90%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Gambling Cage Workers90%
5 shared skills
Home Health Aides90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Writing
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 File 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
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 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
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
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
MODERATE
👥
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 moderate 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
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (2)Planning & Development (1)
1
Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Track materials removed from files to ensure that borrowed files are returned.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Place materials into storage receptacles, such as file cabinets, boxes, bins, or drawers, according to classification and identification information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Assign and record or stamp identification numbers or codes to index materials for filing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Answer questions about records or files.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Modify or improve filing systems or implement new filing systems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform periodic inspections of materials or files to ensure correct placement, legibility, or proper condition.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •37% 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 File 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?
File Clerks professionals typically have a CRS Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a File Clerks
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.52
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.34
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.28
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.26
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.19
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.18
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Independence
4.2
Concern for Others
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Social Orientation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
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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