Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Clerk
- Office Assistant
- Office Clerk
- Office Services Specialist
Alternate Job Titles
- Administration Clerk
- Administrative Clerk (Admin Clerk)
- Administrative Support Specialist
- Administrative Technician (Admin Tech)
- Agent-Licensing Clerk
- Animal Hospital Clerk
- Animal Shelter Clerk
- Attendance Clerk
- Auction Assistant
- Audit Control Clerk
- Automobile Contract Clerk
- Bilingual Office Assistant
- Blood Bank Calendar Control Clerk
- Blood Bank Credit Clerk
- Blood Donor Unit Assistant
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Administrative
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe InDesign
- Google Docs
- Google Workspace software
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- 10-key calculators
- Computer laser printers
- Computer terminals
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Dictation equipment
- Digital duplicating machines
- Electric typewriters
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Letter folding machines
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Photocopiers
- Photocopying equipment
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $29,120 |
| Median | $43,630 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $63,840 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,510,550
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,290
File Clerks
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $41,270
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,230
Administrative Services Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $108,390
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $44,640
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.