Office Clerks, General Salary Guide 2025: $45,010 Median Pay
Office Clerks, General earned a median salary of $45,010 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean hourly wage works out to roughly $22.31. While the bottom 10% of clerks made $30,310 or less, the top 10% earned $64,680 or more. With 2.46 million people in the occupation, it remains one of the largest clerical roles in the U.S. — but the job market is shrinking.
How much Office Clerks, General earn
The median annual wage for Office Clerks, General is $45,010. Half of all workers earn between $30,310 (10th percentile) and $64,680 (90th percentile). The average (mean) wage is slightly higher at $46,420, or about $22.32 per hour. Pay varies significantly by industry, experience, and location. For example, clerks in government or technical services often earn above the median, while those in retail or small offices tend to earn less.
Entry-level clerks typically start near the 10th percentile, especially if they lack prior office experience. With a few years of steady work, moving toward the median is common; reaching the top requires specialized skills or long tenure.
Pay by state
Where you work matters a lot for pay. The highest-paying state for Office Clerks, General is the District of Columbia, with an annual mean wage of $55,040. Colorado follows at $53,550, then Alaska ($51,890), Washington ($50,500), and North Dakota ($50,160). These states often have higher costs of living or strong demand in government and energy sectors.
At the other end, Louisiana pays a mean of $32,480, Kansas $32,370, and Alabama $31,200 — roughly 30% less than the national median. Even within states, pay can vary between metro areas and rural counties.
- Highest-paying state: District of Columbia — $55,040
- Lowest-paying state: Alabama — $31,200
How to become Office Clerks, General
The typical requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most clerks learn on the job, picking up office software, filing systems, and customer service skills. No formal certification is mandatory, though some employers prefer candidates with an associate degree or business coursework. Typing speed, basic math, and familiarity with Microsoft Office are common expectations.
Steps to get started:
1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Consider classes in typing, bookkeeping, or computer applications.
2. Gain basic computer skills — word processing, spreadsheets, email, and data entry.
3. Apply for entry-level clerical positions (e.g., data entry clerk, mail clerk, receptionist). Temporary agencies can be a good route.
4. Build experience. Many offices promote from within; you can move up to administrative assistant or office manager.
5. Optional: earn a certification like the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) from IAAP, though not always required.
Job outlook
Employment for Office Clerks, General is projected to decline by 6.7% from 2024 to 2034, losing roughly 165,000 jobs. The BLS attributes this to automation of routine tasks (data entry, filing) and increased use of office software by other staff. Despite the decline, about 282,400 openings per year are expected, mostly due to workers retiring or leaving the occupation. That means there will still be opportunities, but competition may be stiffer than in growing fields.
Clerks with strong technology skills — especially in specialized software or digital recordkeeping — will have the best chances. Roles that require human judgment, like customer interaction or complex scheduling, are harder to automate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary of an Office Clerk, General in 2025?
The median annual salary is $45,010, based on the latest BLS data. Entry-level workers earn around $30,310, while top earners make $64,680.
Is Office Clerk a good career?
It offers steady work in a large occupation, but the field is shrinking. Good for people seeking entry-level office roles with on-the-job training. Pay is modest, and advancement requires additional skills.
What skills do I need to become an Office Clerk?
High school diploma, basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office), typing, filing, and customer service. Many skills are learned on the job.
Which state pays Office Clerks the most?
District of Columbia leads with a mean wage of $55,040, followed by Colorado ($53,550) and Alaska ($51,890).
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 Office Clerks, General data.