What Office Clerks, General do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Office Clerks, General this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints"; "Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages"; "Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities"; "Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers"; "Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Office Clerks, General
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,600,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 2,443,700 in 2035, a decrease of 156,300 jobs (-6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 249,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,010, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Office Clerks, General earn the most
Across the 38 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $36,155 in Mississippi to $53,678 in Colorado, a gap of $17,522 (1.48 times). 19 of those 38 states average above the BLS national median of $45,010 and 19 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 303,950, which is 10.4% of the 2,923,280 counted across them. Texas follows with 202,380.
Highest-paying states
Colorado ($53,678), District of Columbia ($51,880) and Washington ($50,952) lead the ranking, while Mississippi ($36,155) and Arkansas ($37,513) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Office Clerks, General: pay against the cost of living
We compare 79 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $22,438. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $2,471 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 78 of the 79 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.9% and 85.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Office Clerks, General
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-9000) include Word Processors and Typists, Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks and Data Entry Keyers.
Frequently asked questions about Office Clerks, General
What is the national median wage for Office Clerks, General?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,010. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $36,155 to $53,678.
Which state pays Office Clerks, General the most?
Colorado, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $53,678. District of Columbia is next at $51,880.
What is the job outlook for Office Clerks, General?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 249,000 openings a year.
What education do Office Clerks, General need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Office Clerks, General afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $22,438 on a median wage of $51,880.