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Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, Mayo Clinic
Information and Record Clerks, All Other
Information and record clerks keep office files, databases, and paperwork accurate when the information arrives in different formats and from different people. The work is less about specialization than about catching errors, tracking requests, and making sure records can be found later. The main tradeoff is that the job is easy to enter and fairly steady, but it can be repetitive and has a modest pay ceiling as more routine filing and data entry get automated.
Also known as Records ClerkFile ClerkDocument Control ClerkInformation ClerkData Entry ClerkClerical Records Clerk
Median Salary
$48,360
Mean $50,200
U.S. Workforce
~144K
17.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-0.2%
153.3K to 153K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Information and Record Clerks, All Other 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 ~144K workers, with a median annual pay of $48,360 and roughly 17.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 153.3 K in 2024 to 153K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Clerical Assistant and can progress toward Office Services Manager. High-value skills usually include Microsoft Excel, Word & Office 365, Document Management Systems (SharePoint, Laserfiche & DocuWare), and Records Retention, Indexing & Filing Systems, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Organization, and Discretion and confidentiality.
Core Responsibilities
- Enter new forms, updates, and corrections into the office database so records stay current.
- Sort incoming paper and digital documents, then file them in the right folders or systems.
- Look up old records when someone needs proof, a history, or a missing document.
- Check names, numbers, dates, and other details for mistakes before the information is stored or sent out.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Enter new forms, updates, and corrections into the office database so records stay current.
02 Sort incoming paper and digital documents, then file them in the right folders or systems.
03 Look up old records when someone needs proof, a history, or a missing document.
04 Check names, numbers, dates, and other details for mistakes before the information is stored or sent out.
05 Scan, label, and organize records so they can be retrieved quickly later.
06 Answer routine requests from coworkers or customers who need copies, status updates, or help locating a file.
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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Insurance
UnitedHealth Group, State Farm, The Hartford
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Higher Education
Harvard University, University of Michigan, Arizona State University
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Logistics and Transportation
UPS, FedEx, DHL
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The barrier to entry is low: the usual starting point is a high school diploma, with short-term on-the-job training instead of a long degree program.
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Pay is solid for an entry-level office job, with median annual wages of $48,360 and mean annual wages of $50,200.
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There are still many openings, with about 17.8 thousand annual job openings expected each year even though the occupation is barely changing overall.
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The work teaches skills that transfer well to other office jobs, especially data accuracy, document handling, and records software.
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The daily tasks are structured and predictable, which can suit people who like clear routines and measurable work.
Challenges
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Growth is essentially flat, with employment projected to slip from 153.3 thousand to 153.0 thousand by 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The pay ceiling is modest compared with more specialized office jobs, and even experienced workers often stay in the same general salary band unless they move into supervision.
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A lot of the work is repetitive: checking forms, filing documents, and entering corrections over and over can get monotonous.
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Basic records work is vulnerable to automation and self-service systems, especially as more organizations move to digital forms, OCR scanning, and automated workflows.
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Career advancement can be narrow unless you move into supervision, compliance, or a related specialty, so the role can become a plateau instead of a long-term destination.
Career Progression
Clerical Assistant
0-2 years
$33K-$39K
Supports basic filing, scanning, and front-line paperwork so more experienced staff can focus on accuracy and exceptions.
Information and Record Clerk
1-4 years
$40K-$55K
Handles day-to-day record updates, document retrieval, and routine data checks, often working with little supervision.
Senior Records Clerk THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$56K-$67K
Takes on harder cases, trains newer clerks, and handles records that need careful review or special handling.
Records Supervisor
7-10 years
$68K-$82K
Oversees a small clerical team, sets filing standards, and resolves workflow problems when records are missing or inconsistent.
Office Services Manager
10+ years
$83K-$98K
Manages office records operations, staffing, and process improvements across a department or location.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the typical entry point for the role and often enough to get hired, with short-term training provided on the job.
Certificate in office administration or records management
A short credential can help applicants stand out by showing familiarity with filing systems, document handling, and office software.
Associate degree in business administration or office technology
Some workers use a two-year program to build stronger computer and administrative skills before entering the field.
Employer training plus experience in a clerical office setting
This is a practical alternative for candidates who already know how to handle forms, databases, and customer requests, even without a formal degree.
Key Skills
Technical
Microsoft Excel, Word & Office 365 82%
Document Management Systems (SharePoint, Laserfiche & DocuWare) 80%
Records Retention, Indexing & Filing Systems 78%
Data Entry, Database Accuracy & ERP/CRM Systems 76%
Scanners, OCR Software & Digital Archiving Tools 72%
Quality Control, Audit Trails & Error Checking 68%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailOrganizationDiscretion and confidentialityTime managementClear communicationProblem solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-0.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
17.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 153.3K to 153 K over the next decade, representing -0.2% growth. Around 17.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.