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.
Office Clerks, General
SOC: 43-9061 O*NET: 43-9061.00
Median Salary
$43,630
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
282.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Office Clerks, General do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,120
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,350
25th percentile
Median
$43,630
50th percentile
Experienced
$52,560
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,840
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,120
25th
$35,350
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$43,630
Mean: $45,470
75th
$52,560
90th
$63,840
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,350 and $52,560
- •Salary spread is 39.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 2,510,550 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,646,000
Top Industries
Construction10.4%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services8.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services7.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.7%
Annual Openings:282,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,646,000
Current
2034 (Projected)2,468,200
-6.7%
-177,800
Employment Change
-6.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Office Clerks, General professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
306,000 jobs$47,9201.04x
Texas
200,960 jobs$37,5000.89x
Florida
191,350 jobs$42,7201.20x
New York
133,060 jobs$44,6200.86x
Pennsylvania
118,680 jobs$43,6001.21x
Illinois
103,580 jobs$43,8301.05x
Michigan
89,290 jobs$43,9501.25x
Ohio
88,120 jobs$43,2300.98x
Georgia
79,450 jobs$39,4401.00x
New Jersey
71,140 jobs$47,9801.03x
North Carolina
70,600 jobs$39,3700.89x
Indiana
66,160 jobs$43,4201.27x
Virginia
62,540 jobs$45,1300.94x
Missouri
57,870 jobs$40,3501.22x
Minnesota
55,710 jobs$47,0301.17x
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
Coordination
70%
#6
Critical Thinking
62%
#7
Service Orientation
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%
Coordination
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.1
62%
Service Orientation
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
Coordination
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance56%
skills
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:
Counter and Rental Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants90%
5 shared skills
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan90%
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 Office Clerks, General
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechYardi software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechHenry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Access
Yardi software
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Henry Schein Dentrix
MEDITECH software
📚 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
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Communication & Coordination (1)Management & Supervision (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (7)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination97% perform98%
3
Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% 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 Office Clerks, General
💡 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?
Office Clerks, General 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 Office Clerks, General
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.63
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.45
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.38
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.20
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.17
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Self-Control
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Concern for Others
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Independence
3.9
💡 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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