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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare
File Clerks
File clerks keep paper and digital records organized so the right document can be found fast, copied for the right person, or removed when it is no longer needed. The work is easy to enter but unforgiving: a misfiled record, a lost log entry, or a missed retention deadline can create real problems, even though the pay is modest and many employers are moving toward digital systems.
Also known as Records ClerkFiling ClerkDocument ClerkFile Room ClerkRecords and Information Clerk
Median Salary
$41,270
Mean $43,700
U.S. Workforce
~79K
7.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-15.9%
84.3K to 70.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
File Clerks sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~79K workers, with a median annual pay of $41,270 and roughly 7.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 84.3 K in 2024 to 70.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's degree in office administration, business administration, or records management, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Records/Office Assistant and can progress toward Records Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Document Management Systems (SharePoint, Laserfiche, OpenText), Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheet Tracking, and Scanning, Indexing & OCR Software, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Add new papers or digital documents to the correct file and set up a new record when needed.
- Look up files and answer questions from coworkers or customers about what a record says or where it is stored.
- Pull, copy, and deliver records to people who are allowed to see them.
- Collect materials from different departments and sort them so they can be filed correctly.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Add new papers or digital documents to the correct file and set up a new record when needed.
02 Look up files and answer questions from coworkers or customers about what a record says or where it is stored.
03 Pull, copy, and deliver records to people who are allowed to see them.
04 Collect materials from different departments and sort them so they can be filed correctly.
05 Keep track of what was filed, removed, or archived, and run simple reports from the filing system.
06 Clear out outdated records, move old files to storage, and help with routine office tasks like scanning, mail, or phones while protecting confidential information.
Industries That Hire
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Government
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, City of New York, State of California
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Finance
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo
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Legal Services
DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, Kirkland & Ellis
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Education
University of California, Arizona State University, Harvard University
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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It is one of the easier office jobs to enter, since the usual requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training.
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The work is concrete and easy to judge: if files are organized, logged, and retrievable, you are doing it right.
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You build practical office skills that transfer to records coordination, administrative support, and other clerical jobs.
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There are still about 7.3 thousand annual openings, so some hiring continues even though the overall occupation is shrinking.
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The job exists in many settings, from hospitals and law firms to schools and government offices, which can help with job searching.
Challenges
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Pay is fairly modest for a full-time job, with a median annual wage of $41,270 and a mean of $43,700.
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The long-term outlook is weak: employment is projected to fall by 15.9%, from 84.3 thousand in 2024 to 70.9 thousand in 2034.
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Digitizing records can reduce demand for this work, especially in organizations that scan archives or let customers find documents themselves.
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The role has a limited career ceiling unless you move into records coordination, office administration, or supervision.
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Accuracy matters every day, and mistakes with confidential or legal records can create real problems for the employer and the worker.
Career Progression
Records/Office Assistant
0-1 years
$30K-$35K
Handles basic sorting, scanning, and file preparation while learning the employer's recordkeeping rules.
File Clerk
1-3 years
$36K-$45K
Manages active files, retrieves documents on request, and keeps logs accurate enough to avoid lost records.
Senior File Clerk THIS ROLE
4-6 years
$46K-$55K
Works with more sensitive records, helps solve filing problems, and may train newer staff.
Records Coordinator
7-10 years
$56K-$67K
Oversees retention schedules, reporting, and filing procedures across a department or small office.
Records Supervisor
10+ years
$68K-$82K
Leads a records team, checks compliance, and plans system changes when an organization updates how it stores information.
Education Paths
Associate's degree in office administration, business administration, or records management
A common path, held by 38.41% of workers in the occupation, especially for people who want stronger office skills before starting.
High school diploma or equivalent
A major entry path, held by 30.14% of workers, and it matches the BLS typical entry requirement for the role.
Some college coursework in office systems, business, or records management
A frequent alternative, held by 23.17% of workers, often paired with classroom training in filing, computers, or office procedures.
Short certificate in records management or office software
A shorter non-degree option can help candidates stand out by showing training in filing systems, spreadsheets, and document handling.
Key Skills
Technical
Document Management Systems (SharePoint, Laserfiche, OpenText) 91%
Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheet Tracking 88%
Scanning, Indexing & OCR Software 86%
Records Retention Schedules & Compliance Tracking 84%
Adobe Acrobat & PDF Management 82%
Microsoft Office 365, Outlook & Teams 80%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringService OrientationWriting Job Outlook and Trends
+-15.9%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
7.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 84.3K to 70.9 K over the next decade, representing -15.9% growth. Around 7.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.