File Clerk Salary 2025: $43,600 Median, but Jobs Are Shrinking Fast
File clerks earned a median salary of $43,600 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly wage works out to about $21. While that's above the federal minimum by a wide margin, the occupation is in serious decline: employment is projected to shrink nearly 16% over the next decade. Approximately 73,440 file clerks are currently employed, and about 7,300 openings arise each year, mostly from workers leaving the occupation.
How much File Clerks earn
The median annual wage for file clerks is $43,600, with the middle 50% earning between roughly $31,200 and $63,490. The lowest-paid 10% make $31,200 or less; the highest-paid 10% earn $63,490 or more. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.
Pay by state
Where you work dramatically affects your paycheck. The highest-paying state for file clerks is Oregon at $50,660, followed by Hawaii ($50,630), Illinois ($49,920), Alaska ($49,910), and California ($49,040). On the low end, Louisiana pays $32,200, West Virginia $31,600, and Mississippi just $31,260. That's a spread of nearly $20,000 between the top and bottom states.
How to become a File Clerk
Most file clerk positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is typical, lasting a few weeks to a month. Key skills include attention to detail, basic computer literacy (filing software, spreadsheets), and organizational ability. No formal certification is required, though a certificate in records management from a community college can give you an edge. The role is often an entry point into administrative careers.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Apply for entry-level clerk positions in offices, government, or healthcare.
- Learn filing systems, database entry, and records retention policies on the job.
- Consider a records management certificate to stand out.
Job outlook
The BLS projects a decline of 15.9% from 2024 to 2034, losing about 11,600 jobs. That's significantly worse than the average for all occupations. Automation and digital record-keeping are reducing demand for physical file clerks. However, about 7,300 openings per year will still occur as workers retire or move to other roles. The best opportunities may be in industries that handle sensitive paper records, such as healthcare or legal firms.
Frequently asked questions
Do file clerks need a degree?
No. Most employers only require a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is standard.
What is the highest-paying state for file clerks?
Oregon pays the most at $50,660 annually, followed by Hawaii ($50,630) and Illinois ($49,920).
Is file clerk a dying job?
Yes, the occupation is projected to shrink by 15.9% over the next decade due to automation and digitization. But about 7,300 job openings still appear each year.
How much does a file clerk make per hour?
The mean hourly wage is about $21. The median annual salary is $43,600.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full File Clerks data.