Summary
Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers.
What they do
Information clerks typically do the following:
- Prepare routine reports, claims, bills, or orders
- Collect and record data from customers, staff, and the public
- Answer questions from customers and the public about products or services
- File and maintain paper or electronic records
Information clerks do routine clerical tasks in an organization, business, or government. They use telephones, computers, and other office equipment, such as scanners and shredders.
Work Environment
Information clerks work in nearly every industry. Although most clerks work in offices, interviewers may travel to applicants’ locations to meet with them.
The work of information clerks who provide customer service can be stressful, particularly when dealing with dissatisfied customers.
How to become an Information Clerk
Information clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job.
Although candidates for most of these positions usually qualify with a high school diploma, human resources assistants generally need an associate’s degree. Regardless of whether they pursue a degree, courses in word processing and spreadsheet applications are particularly helpful.
Most information clerks receive short-term on-the-job training, usually lasting a few weeks. Training typically covers clerical procedures and the use of computer applications. Those employed in government receive training that may last several months and includes learning about government programs and regulations.
Pay
The median annual wage for information clerks was $35,390 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,590.
Job Outlook
Employment of information clerks is projected to decline 3 percent from 2019 to 2029. However, demand for information clerks will vary by occupation. (See table below.)
Overall employment of information clerks is expected to decline as organizations and businesses combine their administrative functions. For example, businesses increasingly use online applications for benefits and employment, thereby streamlining the process and requiring fewer workers.
Furthermore, increased use of online ordering and reservations systems and self-service ticketing kiosks will result in the need for fewer clerks to process orders and maintain files. In some businesses, including medical offices, receptionists and other workers do tasks that used to be done by clerks.
Similar Job Titles
Clerk Specialist, Community Liaison, Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter, Member Service Representative, Office Assistant, Receptionist, Scheduler, Senior Receptionist, Unit Assistant, Customer Service Correspondence Clerk, Courtroom Clerk, Correspondence Transcriber, Correspondence Representative, Deputy Court Clerk, Dog Licenser
Related Occupations
Medical Records and Health Information Technician, Switchboard Operator (including Answering Service), License Clerk, Medical Secretary, General Office Clerk
More Information
The trade associations listed below represent organizations made up of people (members) who work and promote advancement in the field. Members are very interested in telling others about their work and about careers in those areas. As well, trade associations provide opportunities for organizational networking and learning more about the field’s trends and directions.
- International Association of Administrative Professionals - IAAP is a non-profit professional association serving the administrative profession. IAAP is dedicated to helping office and administrative professionals advance their career in a demanding and ever-changing business environment.
- National Notary Association - This organization will help you take advantage of the most-respected resources for Notaries and Notary Signing Agents to get up to speed and stay in the lead.
Magazines and Publications
Video Transcript
“Keeping information organized and getting things done” could be the motto of information clerks everywhere. And they do work everywhere— courts of law, hospitals, license offices, airports… just about every business out there... employs information clerks. Information clerks process many kinds of information both online and in print. They receive requests, orders, and applications, explain procedures, enter and retrieve data, and file documents. Some—such as front desk clerks— interact with the public frequently, and also handle fees and payments. These clerks often administer private information, so integrity is an essential quality in this field. They are also skilled at using different office equipment and have an excellent understanding of data storage tools and procedures. Although information clerks are employed in many industries, most work in government agencies, hotels, and healthcare facilities. While most work normal fulltime office hours, part-time schedules are common for file clerks and hotel clerks, who also often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. For those clerks who deal with dissatisfied customers, positions can be stressful at times. Clerks who work at airline ticket —or shipping—counters handle heavy luggage or packages, sometimes up to 100 pounds. Information clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job. In some positions, employers may prefer candidates with college experience or an associate’s degree.
Content retrieved from: US Bureau of Labor Statistics-OOH httpss://www.bls.gov/ooh,
CareerOneStop httpss://www.careeronestop.org, O*Net Online httpss://www.onetonline.org