Skip to main contentReport an accessibility problem
ASU for LifeASU for Life

Office Clerks, General

Business, Management and AdministrationO*NET 43-9061.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$44,935

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
−1.3%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

42.1% of the workforce

Employment
2.71M jobs

Growing to 2.67M by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

Loading available locations…

Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

Loading related ASU learning

The work

What office clerks, general do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • 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.
  • Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
  • Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
  • Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
  • Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
  • Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
  • Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
  • Deliver messages and run errands.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$30,125
25th percentile
$36,220
50th percentile
$44,935
75th percentile
$54,388
90th percentile
$65,432

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $44,935 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−1.3%projected to decline
20252,705,863 jobs
2035 projected2,669,560 jobs

36,303 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less
42.1%
Associate degree
36.4%
Some college
14.7%
Certificate
6.5%
Bachelor's degree
0.2%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Data Entry
  • Administrative Support
  • Office Supply Management
  • Office Management
  • Invoicing
  • QuickBooks (Accounting Software)
  • Bookkeeping
  • Proofreading
  • Office Equipment
  • Google Workspace
  • Setting Appointments
  • Calendar Management
  • Multi-Line Phone Systems
  • Workflow Management
  • Customer Support
  • Accounting
  • Billing
  • Office Procedures
  • Inventory Management
  • Office Administration

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Office Assistants8,924 postings
  2. 02Office Administrative Assistants2,514 postings
  3. 03Office Support Assistants169 postings
  4. 04Administrative Assistants/Office Managers156 postings
  5. 05Administrative Assistants146 postings
  6. 06Medical Office Administrative Assistants139 postings
  7. 07Bilingual Office Assistants138 postings
  8. 08General Office Assistants124 postings
  9. 09Office Administrator Assistants120 postings
  10. 10Administrative Office Support Assistants114 postings
  11. 11Construction Assistants89 postings
  12. 12Business Office Assistants83 postings
  13. 13Clerical Office Assistants81 postings
  14. 14Office Administrators75 postings
  15. 15Office Administrators/Administrative Assistants70 postings
  16. 16Administrative Assistants/Assistant Office Managers68 postings
  17. 17Front Desk Office Assistants63 postings
  18. 18Administrative Assistants/Office Coordinators58 postings
  19. 19Business Office Administrative Assistants53 postings
  20. 20Bilingual Administrative Assistants51 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Robert Half797 postings
  2. 02UNC Health138 postings
  3. 03AppleOne91 postings
  4. 04State of Michigan79 postings
  5. 05Coalition Technologies74 postings
  6. 06ManpowerGroup51 postings
  7. 07Express Employment Professionals49 postings
  8. 08ChristianaCare41 postings
  9. 09Career Group40 postings
  10. 10Ultimate Staffing40 postings
  11. 11Nys Department Of Civil Service35 postings
  12. 12Aston Carter34 postings
  13. 13Staffmark33 postings
  14. 14State of Missouri31 postings
  15. 15UnitedHealth Group31 postings
  16. 16The Planet Group30 postings
  17. 17Adecco28 postings
  18. 18Career Group Companies28 postings
  19. 19State Of Texas28 postings
  20. 20Prokatchers27 postings

Keep looking

Related careers

Accountants and Auditors

Median pay
$83,670
Employment outlook
+7.4%

Administrative Services Managers

Median pay
$113,973
Employment outlook
+8.3%

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Median pay
$124,424
Employment outlook
−1.9%

Advertising Sales Agents

Median pay
$64,097
Employment outlook
−4.2%