Office Clerks, General
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.
Is office clerks, general a good career?
It scores 43/100 and ranks #54 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 282,400 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($45,010 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-6.7% through 2034)
What office clerks, general earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. office clerks, general earn between $36,350 and $54,300 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live office clerks, general jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
General office clerks usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some clerks have a bachelor's degree in fields such as business, social science, and psychology.
Courses in using computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheet software, may be helpful for those who aren’t already familiar with them.
Training
General office clerks usually learn their skills while on the job. Their training typically lasts up to 1 month and may include instructions on office procedures, proper phone etiquette, and the use of office equipment.
Advancement
General office clerks may advance to other administrative positions with more responsibility, such as secretaries and administrative assistants.
Advancement opportunities often depend on work experience.
Important qualities
Customer-service skills. General office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public. They should be courteous and prompt with their responses.
Detail oriented. General office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills.
Organizational skills. General office clerks file and retrieve records. They need to keep records organized to be able to access them quickly and efficiently.
Related occupations
How much do office clerks, general make?
The national median wage is $45,010 a year, with the middle half earning between $36,350 and $54,300 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is office clerks, general a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 43 of 100 and ranks #54 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -6.7% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a office clerks, general?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do office clerks, general earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($55,040). Local pay for every state and metro is below.