File Clerks

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.

From people doing the work

As a File Clerk, my day is all about organization. I spend a lot of time sorting, categorizing, and storing documents, both physical and digital. It's crucial to be careful and efficient to ensure everything is easily retrievable. The work can be repetitive, but it's satisfying to maintain order and support the smooth operation of the office.

Drawn from ARMA International, Records Management Forum

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from ARMA International, Records Management Forum

A day in the life of a File Clerk

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
80% Team / 20% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
Mostly Remote
Typical work hours
35-40
Stress level
Low

File Clerks salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$41,270
Entry-level
$31,000
Senior
$58,000
Growth by 2033
-15.9%
Demand
Declining
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
87%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as a File Clerk

Hard skills

  • Law and Government
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Accounting software

Soft skills

  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Microsoft Excel (Software): Used for organizing and tracking files and data
  • Document Management Systems (DMS) (Software): Software for storing, managing, and tracking electronic documents
  • Scanners (Hardware): Convert physical documents into digital formats

Commonly used

  • Microsoft Word (Software): Create and edit various types of documents

Specialist tools

  • Adobe Acrobat (Software): View, create, and manage PDF documents

How to become a File Clerk

Minimum education
Associate's Degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
3-5
Years to senior
8-12
Career switching
Easy

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Office Assistant: Often handle basic filing and organizational tasks
  • Data Entry Clerk: Focus on inputting information, which can lead to managing files
  • Administrative Assistant: Perform a variety of administrative duties including filing and record keeping

Where you can go from here

  • Records Manager: Oversee the entire lifecycle of records, from creation to disposal
  • Document Control Specialist: Manage and organize controlled documents within an organization
  • Archiving Specialist: Focus on preserving historical records and documents
  • Information Governance Analyst: Analyze and implement policies for information management

Typical progression

  1. File Clerks
  2. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
  3. Billing and Posting Clerks
  4. or Correspondence Clerks

File Clerks job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Very High
AI disruption risk
Very High
Demand trend
Declining

Job satisfaction as a File Clerk

Overall satisfaction
6/10
Meaning
5/10
Work-life balance
7/10
Prestige
4.5/10
Social perception
Low

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

  • ARMA International: A professional association for information management and governance professionals.

Podcasts and media

Reddit communities

Online communities

  • Records Management Forum: An online discussion board for records management professionals to share insights and ask questions.

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