Occupation · SOC 43-9061
Office Clerks, General
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.
Median wage
$43,630
$29,120–$63,840
Projected growth
-6.7%
Declining
Annual openings
-17,780
per year
Employed (US)
2,510,550
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
117 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCritical ThinkingService OrientationTime ManagementSocial Perceptiveness
Knowledge areas
AdministrativeEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Word processing softwareDocument management softwareDesktop publishing softwareHuman resources softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or exp
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Office machines such as photocopiers and scanners — operate under direct supervision following step-by-step instructions in a general office setting.Incoming telephone calls — answer, screen, and transfer to the appropriate party under supervisor guidance in a busy clerical environment.Basic customer and employee inquiries — respond to using scripted or supervisor-approved answers at a front-desk or reception station.Paper-based filing systems — sort and organize records alphabetically or numerically following established office protocols.Incoming mail — open, sort, and route to designated recipients under direction in a multi-department office.Data entry fields in standard office software — input information accurately into pre-formatted templates with frequent supervisor checks.Written correspondence templates — copy and prepare outgoing mail using approved formats with proofreading support from a supervisor.Office calendaring and scheduling software — locate and record appointment information under direct instruction in a clerical role.Printed records and reports — review to locate specific information in response to straightforward staff or customer requests.Word processing documents — create and format basic letters and memos following office style guides under close oversight.
developing
Multifunction office equipment including fax machines and voice mail systems — operate and perform routine maintenance independently in a general administrative office.Moderate-volume phone lines — manage calls, take accurate messages, and redirect inquiries with minimal supervision in an office support role.Customer and employee questions, complaints, and information requests — address clearly and professionally using established procedures across routine office situations.Electronic database and filing systems — update and maintain on a regular schedule to ensure accurate records in a computerized office environment.Office activity records and business transaction files — compile, copy, and file consistently to support audit-ready documentation standards.Digital and paper records — review and cross-reference to retrieve accurate information for staff or external requestors within expected turnaround times.Outgoing correspondence and mail — compose, proofread, and prepare using correct grammar and office formatting conventions with limited oversight.Numerical data, invoices, and reports — compute, record, and proofread to verify accuracy before submission in a billing or records-keeping context.Customer relationship management (CRM) software — enter and update client contact records routinely to maintain current organizational databases.Cloud-based data access tools — retrieve and share documents with colleagues and stakeholders following data-handling guidelines in a collaborative office environment.
proficient
A range of office machines and enterprise software platforms — configure, troubleshoot, and operate autonomously to support uninterrupted administrative workflows.Complex or escalated telephone and written inquiries — resolve independently by applying sound judgment and knowledge of organizational policies in a general office setting.Non-routine customer, vendor, or interdepartmental communication needs — address using adapted messaging strategies that maintain professionalism and service quality.Multi-component database and inventory management systems — maintain, audit, and update without oversight to ensure data integrity across office functions.High-volume records from multiple business units — compile, sort, classify, and archive following regulatory and organizational retention requirements.Conflicting or incomplete information across files and documents — evaluate critically to provide accurate, well-reasoned responses to complex staff or customer requests.Accounts, billing records, and financial transaction data — compute, verify, and correct discrepancies using accounting or billing software in a finance-adjacent administrative role.Human resources and scheduling software — manage calendars, coordinate meeting logistics, and process routine HR documentation autonomously for multiple stakeholders.Desktop publishing and document management tools — produce polished internal reports, manuals, and correspondence that meet organizational standards without editorial assistance.Office data security and records compliance requirements — apply consistently across all filing, database, and correspondence activities to protect organizational information.
advanced
Office administrative procedures and systems — evaluate, redesign, and implement improvements that increase efficiency and accuracy across the entire clerical function.Clerical and support staff onboarding — develop and deliver structured training on office equipment, software, and communication protocols in a supervisory capacity.Organization-wide documentation and records-management policies — author and enforce to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and operational standards.Administrative technology platforms including CRM, accounting, and cloud tools — lead evaluation and adoption decisions, advising leadership on capability and cost-benefit trade-offs.Office communication standards and customer service protocols — establish, model, and refine to elevate service quality across all staff-customer and interdepartmental interactions.Cross-functional administrative workflows spanning mail, filing, billing, and scheduling — coordinate and optimize to eliminate bottlenecks and redundancies at an organizational level.Quality control reviews of data, reports, and records produced by clerical teams — conduct systematically to identify error trends and implement corrective training measures.Workload distribution and time management practices for administrative teams — plan and oversee to meet organizational deadlines under variable and high-demand conditions.Vendor relationships for office supplies, equipment contracts, and service agreements — manage and negotiate on behalf of the organization to control administrative costs.Organizational culture of dependability, attention to detail, and cooperative service — cultivate by mentoring junior clerks and championing continuous improvement in a general office environment.
Also known as
125 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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