Occupation · SOC 43-4071
File Clerks
File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
Median wage
$41,270
$29,620–$61,080
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
78,980
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
88 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingWritingMonitoringService OrientationCritical ThinkingSocial Perceptiveness
Knowledge areas
AdministrativeEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareFilesystem softwareMedical softwareElectronic mail softwareAccounting software
Representative tasks
Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerized reports.Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorized users.Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.Eliminate outdated or unnecessary materials, destroying them or transferring them to inactive storage, according to file maintenance guidelines or legal requirements.Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.Answer questions about records or files.Assign and record or stamp identification numbers or codes to index materials for filing.Place materials into storage receptacles, such as file cabinets, boxes, bins, or drawers, according to classification and identification information.Modify or improve filing systems or implement new filing systems.Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.Complete general financial activities, such as processing accounts payable, reviewing invoices, collecting cash payments, or issuing receipts.Track materials removed from files to ensure that borrowed files are returned.Perform periodic inspections of materials or files to ensure correct placement, legibility, or proper condition.Retrieve documents stored in microfilm or microfiche and place them in viewers for reading.Operate mechanized files that rotate to bring needed records to a particular location.Design forms related to filing systems.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic filing protocols — follow under direct supervision to sort physical and digital documents alphabetically, numerically, or chronologically in an office setting.Incoming materials — scan and read to determine initial classification categories under guidance from a supervisor in a general office environment.Office equipment such as copiers, scanners, and printers — operate to reproduce requested documents under close supervision on a daily clerical basis.Logbooks and simple computer records — use to track materials filed or removed from storage under direct instruction in a records management context.New file records — create by adding labeled folders or entering basic data fields into document management software under supervisor direction.Authorized staff requests — respond to by locating and retrieving straightforward records from organized physical or digital filing systems.Departmental materials gathered for filing — collect from designated pickup areas or staff drop-off points following established office procedures.Confidential documents — handle and secure according to basic workplace guidelines under direct oversight in an administrative office.Incoming office mail and correspondence — sort and distribute to appropriate recipients following standard office routing procedures.Telephone calls and routine inquiries — answer and direct to the correct staff member or department using basic office communication protocols.
developing
Filing classification schemes — apply consistently across multiple content types and user criteria with minimal oversight in a busy administrative office.Document management software — use routinely to enter, update, and retrieve electronic records efficiently in a paperless or hybrid office environment.Computerized filing reports — generate on a scheduled basis to reflect current status of materials checked in or out across departmental records systems.Outdated or superseded materials — identify and remove from active files by applying established retention schedules and legal disposal guidelines.File retrieval requests of moderate complexity — fulfill accurately and promptly by navigating both physical and digital storage systems independently.New categories or subcategories within existing filing structures — create as necessary when incoming material types fall outside current classification guidelines.Electronic mail software — use to communicate file request statuses, delivery confirmations, and record updates to authorized staff across departments.Information from multiple departments — gather, reconcile, and consolidate into unified filing records while managing competing priorities during peak workloads.Routine written correspondence related to records requests — draft clearly and accurately using standard office suite software with limited review needed.Active and inactive storage areas — maintain in an organized and compliant condition by periodically transferring materials according to file maintenance schedules.
proficient
Complex or ambiguous incoming documents — evaluate and classify independently by applying critical thinking and deep knowledge of organizational filing guidelines.Database query tools and spreadsheet software — use proficiently to run advanced searches, reconcile discrepancies, and produce detailed records management reports.Retention and destruction policies — interpret and apply accurately across a wide range of record types, including those governed by legal or regulatory requirements.Non-routine retrieval situations involving missing, misfiled, or restricted records — resolve autonomously using systematic search strategies and cross-referencing techniques.Filing system accuracy and completeness — monitor on an ongoing basis, identifying and correcting errors or gaps across physical and digital repositories.Confidentiality and records security protocols — enforce consistently across all file interactions, including requests involving sensitive personnel, medical, or legal documents.Office suite and document management platforms — configure and maintain filing structures, folder hierarchies, and naming conventions to support organizational efficiency.New staff or temporary employees — guide informally on filing procedures, retrieval methods, and document handling standards within the work unit.Time-sensitive records requests from multiple authorized users — prioritize and fulfill simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and compliance with access controls.Cross-departmental coordination on records needs — manage independently by liaising with supervisors and department leads to ensure timely and accurate document exchange.
advanced
Organizational records management strategy — develop and implement across all departments to align filing systems with operational, legal, and compliance requirements.Document management and filesystem software platforms — evaluate, recommend, and lead adoption of upgrades or new tools that improve records accuracy and accessibility.Office-wide retention schedules and disposal procedures — establish and maintain in accordance with applicable law, government regulations, and organizational policy.Filing clerks and administrative support staff — mentor, train, and evaluate to build a dependable and detail-oriented records management team.Records compliance audits — design and conduct across departments, producing findings reports and leading corrective action plans to address systemic deficiencies.Confidentiality breach risks and records security vulnerabilities — assess proactively and implement procedural or technological controls to protect sensitive information.Standardized classification frameworks and filing taxonomies — author for adoption across the organization, ensuring consistency, scalability, and ease of use.Senior leadership and department heads — advise on records management best practices, emerging regulatory requirements, and the operational impact of filing system changes.Workflow inefficiencies in mail processing, document routing, and retrieval pipelines — identify and redesign to reduce turnaround times and administrative overhead.Organizational knowledge continuity — safeguard by overseeing the migration, archiving, and long-term preservation of critical records across system transitions or office restructuring.
Also known as
148 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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