Job description
Office clerks take care of administrative and clerical duties in a business, school, hospital or medical clinic. The position typically involves updating the organisation’s records, arranging and storing files, scheduling meetings, preparing and filing internal documents, and taking calls.
Duties
- Maintain filing, database, mailing or inventory systems and update paper or digital records
- Compile data, file documents and duplicate records by copying papers
- Operate and maintain office equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, copiers and printers
- Attend meetings, record minutes and transcribe all verbal communications, including dictations
- Monitor inventories of products, materials and supplies, and place orders for refills
- Submit or receive billing or receipts for completion of services
- Answer telephone calls, take messages, transfer calls and update voicemail greeting
- Open and sort mail, distribute mail to the recipient and prepare outgoing mail
- Proofread documents – internal and external – to ensure accuracy and correct errors
- Complete work schedules, management appointments and mark dates on the calendar
- Run typical office errands, like getting coffee, ordering catering or booking entertainment arrangements
- Receive shipments and sign documents acknowledging that you have accepted the order
- Train new hires on office protocol, software applications and business guidelines
- Answer client submissions and respond to employee queries
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
-4%
New jobs
-110.6k
Automation risk
96%
Career progression
In today’s environment, it can be difficult for office clerks to advance because of the increased transition to automation, such as document preparation, electronic filing software or phone systems. But the trends do suggest that office clerks could survive and thrive in healthcare settings, mainly because of complex billing and insurance processing. Office clerks can also find employment in places that still rely heavily on paperwork.
Working conditions
Average hours
35h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Standard business hours
Office clerks typically work during regular office hours, though there might be occasions where you need to come into the workplace on an evening or weekend. For the most part, you will enjoy a routine schedule in a white-collar environment, such as a school, small business, corporation or healthcare provider.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$20k
Median
$33k
Top 10%
$54k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
High school
On-the-job training
Study time
4 weeks
To become an office clerk, you only need to hold a high school diploma or a GED equivalent. Employers typically demand candidates to possess experience with Microsoft Office and soft skills such as phone etiquette, oral and written skills, time management and organisation.
Because the position is all-encompassing, there will be some employers who will prefer candidates to have postsecondary education or coursework, particularly in areas related to the company or office.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
