Information Clerk
1. OVERVIEW
Information clerks support the functioning of government agencies, businesses, hotels, healthcare facilities, and transportation services by performing routine clerical duties. These include maintaining records, collecting and entering data, handling customer interactions, and supporting internal office operations. They may serve in roles such as front desk attendants, HR assistants, eligibility interviewers, or court clerks, depending on the setting.
2024 Median Pay: $43,730/year ($21.02/hour)
Job Growth (2023–2033): −1% (decline)
Typical Education: High school diploma or equivalent; some roles require an associate’s degree
2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL
ENTRY LEVEL
Job Titles: File Clerk, Hotel Desk Clerk, Order Clerk, Reservation Agent
Education: High school diploma or GED
Experience: 0–2 years
Certifications (Recommended):
Microsoft Office Certification (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Typing/Administrative certificates (community college or workforce centers)
Core Duties:
Answer phones and respond to customer inquiries
File and retrieve documents (paper and electronic)
Perform data entry and record-keeping
Issue tickets or book reservations
Assist with scheduling, billing, or payments
Salary Range: $30,000–$42,000
MID LEVEL
Job Titles: Court Clerk, Eligibility Interviewer, Human Resources Assistant
Education: High school diploma + coursework in business or administration (or associate degree)
Experience: 3–5 years
Certifications (Preferred):
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP – IAAP)
HR Assistant Certificate (SHRM or HRCI)
Customer Service Certification (ICMI, HDI)
Core Duties:
Maintain court, licensing, or government records
Interview applicants for eligibility in government programs
Coordinate personnel files and assist with onboarding
Train junior clerks in software systems and data handling
Monitor compliance with administrative procedures
Salary Range: $43,000–$55,000
SENIOR LEVEL
Job Titles: Senior Court Clerk, Administrative Lead, Clerk Supervisor
Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree (preferred) + 5–8 years experience
Certifications (Valued):
Certified Office Manager (COM)
Project Management tools (Asana, Monday.com, MS Project)
Advanced Excel or Data Reporting Certificates
Core Duties:
Supervise and schedule team of clerks across departments
Oversee document and information security compliance
Prepare high-level reports and summaries for management
Lead hiring, evaluation, and training of clerical staff
Optimize workflow and administrative systems
Salary Range: $55,000–$70,000+
3. HOW TO BECOME ONE
Minimum Education: High school diploma or GED
Preferred: Associate’s degree in Business Administration, Office Management, or HR
Training: On-the-job training in computer applications, office equipment, and communication procedures
Certifications: Microsoft Office, CAP, Customer Service, HR Assistant certs (based on role)
Soft Skills: Communication, organization, discretion, attention to detail, typing proficiency
4. SKILLS & TOOLS
Core Skills:
Typing and document formatting
Professional phone/email communication
Data collection and entry
Confidentiality management
Record organization and retrieval
Tools:
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word)
Document Management Systems (e.g., DocuWare, Laserfiche)
HR Systems (e.g., Workday, ADP)
Reservation software (Sabre, Amadeus, Opera PMS)
Government platforms (state or federal program portals)
5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
Locations: Government offices, hotels, hospitals, transportation terminals, law courts, call centers
Schedules: Full-time; some evening/weekend shifts (especially in hospitality or travel)
Environment: Mostly office-based; high computer and phone use; occasional lifting (e.g., travel clerks)
6. JOB OUTLOOK
Demand Drivers: Government services, aging population (eligibility programs), travel & hospitality growth
Growth Challenge: Automation, self-service systems, and digital records limit clerical hiring
Annual Openings: ~156,200 expected due to retirements and job transitions
Career Paths: Move into administrative assistant, executive assistant, HR specialist, or supervisory roles
7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Role: Receptionists | Salary: $37,230 | Education Level: High school diploma
Role: General Office Clerks | Salary: $43,630 | Education Level: High school diploma
Role: Bookkeeping/Accounting Clerks | Salary: $49,210 | Education Level: Some college
Role: Human Resource Specialists | Salary: $72,910 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree
Role: Secretaries/Admin Assistants | Salary: $47,460 | Education Level: High school diploma
8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT
Certifications & Courses:
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) – https://www.iaap-hq.org
SHRM Certification for HR Assistants – https://www.shrm.org
Coursera & edX courses in Excel, data entry, communication
Books:
Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook by James Stroman
Business Writing for Dummies by Natalie Canavor
Office Procedures for the 21st Century by Sharon Burton
Videos & Channels:
YouTube: "Linda Raynier" (Office/Clerical Careers), "ExcelIsFun" (Excel skills), "SHRM" official channel
LinkedIn Learning: Data entry, customer service, office software
Communities:
Reddit: r/OfficeWorkers, r/humanresources
LinkedIn Groups: "Office Professionals Network", "Clerical Career Support"
9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
BLS Profile: Information Clerks – BLS.gov
CareerOneStop: Search salaries by ZIP and compare job outlook
Projections Central: https://www.projectionscentral.org (state projections)
State Resources: State labor departments & civil service exams often required for public sector roles
