File Clerks
SOC code 43-4071 · O*NET-SOC 43-4071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
File Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$43,600
a year
Hourly
$20.96
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$45,590
$21.92 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,420 – $51,770
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,200 – $63,490
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
73,440
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,200
- $15.00/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,420
- $17.51/hr
- Median percentile
- $43,600
- $20.96/hr
- 75th percentile
- $51,770
- $24.89/hr
- 90th percentile
- $63,490
- $30.53/hr
What does a file clerk do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.
- Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
- 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.
- 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.
How to become a file clerk
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 38% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree38%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)30%
- Some College Courses23%
- Bachelor's Degree8%
Common questions
How much does a file clerk earn?
The national median is $43,600 a year. The full range runs from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $63,490 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 file clerk without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Speaking3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Administrative4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Law and Government3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Telecommunications3.3/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management.