Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
SOC code 43-3031 · O*NET-SOC 43-3031.00 · Medium preparation needed · Office and administration
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Bookkeeping clerks keep the day-to-day financial records: invoices, payments, reconciliations, payroll entries. A diploma plus accounting software skills gets you in, though certificates and associate degrees are common. It is the classic stepping stone toward full-charge bookkeeping or, with further study, accounting.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,670
a year
Hourly
$24.36
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,560
$25.75 per hour
Middle 50%
$43,520 – $61,470
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,000 – $74,550
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,373,680
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,000
- $17.31/hr
- 25th percentile
- $43,520
- $20.92/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,670
- $24.36/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,470
- $29.55/hr
- 90th percentile
- $74,550
- $35.84/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-6%
Declining
1,613,400
jobs in 2024
1,519,100
projected for 2034
About 94,300 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks do?
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- Prepare and process payroll information.
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
- Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
- Calculate and prepare checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)41%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21%
- Bachelor's Degree12%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%
Common questions
How much does a bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn?
The national median is $50,670 a year. The full range runs from $36,000 at the 10th percentile to $74,550 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Economics and Accounting3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Time Management, Coordination, Service Orientation.