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Skills and Knowledge: • Basic knowledge of accounts payable processing • Highly responsive and customer-focused attitude • Capacity to
Accurately review, code, and process vendor invoices • Perform monthly reconciliations • Maintain a large number of vendor accounts while
File Clerk: • Follows clearly detailed specific procedures in completing several repetitive clerical steps performed in a prescribed or
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.
General office clerks typically do the following:
Rather than performing a single specialized task, general office clerks have responsibilities that often change daily with the current needs of the employer.
Some clerks file documents or answer phones; others enter data into computers or perform other tasks using software applications. They also frequently use photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and other office equipment.
The specific duties assigned to clerks will depend on the type of office in which they work. For example, a general office clerk at a college or university may process application materials and answer questions from prospective students, while a clerk at a hospital may file and retrieve medical records.
General office clerks hold about 3.1 million jobs. The largest employers of general office clerks are as follows:
| Healthcare and social assistance | 12% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 12 |
| Government | 9 |
| Administrative and support services | 9 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 9 |
General office clerks usually work in office settings.
Most general office clerks work full time, but about 1 in 4 work part time.
Get the education you need: Find schools for General Office Clerks near you!
General office clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their skills on the job.
General office clerks usually need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Courses in using computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheet software, may be helpful for those who aren't already familiar with them.
General office clerks usually learn their skills while on the job. Their training typically lasts up to one month and may include instructions on office procedures, proper phone etiquette, and the use of office equipment.
General office clerks may advance to other administrative positions with more responsibility, such as secretaries and administrative assistants.
Advancement opportunities often depend on work experience.
Customer-service skills. General office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public. They should be courteous and prompt with their responses.
Detail oriented. General office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills.
Organizational skills. General office clerks file and retrieve records. They need to keep records organized to be able to access them quickly and efficiently.
The median hourly wage for general office clerks is $14.70. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.28, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.24.
The median hourly wages for general office clerks in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Government | $16.54 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 15.44 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 14.78 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 13.77 |
| Administrative and support services | 13.53 |
Most general office clerks work full time but about 1 in 4 work part time.
Employment of general office clerks is projected to show little or no change over the next ten years. Employment growth will vary by industry.
An ageing population is expected to drive employment growth in healthcare, and more general office clerks will be needed to handle administrative tasks related to billing and insurance processing in this sector. On the other hand, employment in the manufacturing sector is projected to decline over the next decade, so manufacturing firms are expected to need fewer general office clerks.
Some tasks of office clerks have been affected by technology. For example, many organizations maintain electronic documents or use automated phone systems, reducing the need for some general office clerks.
Job prospects are expected to be good because of the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Office clerks, general | 3,117,700 | 3,085,700 | -1 | -32,100 |