Information Clerks

FONT SIZE:Minus Font SizePlus Font Size PRINTER-FRIENDLY Print

Summary

Information clerks
Information clerks assist with maintaining records, collecting data and information, and responding to customers’ questions or concerns.
Quick Facts: Information Clerks
2010 Median Pay $29,990 per year
$14.42 per hour
Entry-Level Education See How to Become One
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2010 1,605,300
Job Outlook, 2010-20 7% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 108,900

What Information Clerks Do

Information clerks provide administrative and clerical support in a variety of settings. They help maintain records, collect data and information, and respond to customers’ questions or concerns.

Work Environment

Information clerks work in medical offices, government agencies, law offices, and private businesses. Most work full time.

How to Become an Information Clerk

A high school diploma is enough for most positions, but some employers prefer workers who have some education beyond high school.

Pay

The median annual wage of information clerks was $29,990 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of information clerks is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. However, employment growth will vary by specialty.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of information clerks with similar occupations.

O*NET

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Contacts for More Information

Learn more about information clerks by contacting these additional resources.

What Information Clerks Do About this section

Information clerks
Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks provide customer service to hotel guests and other customers often at the hotel’s front desk.

Information clerks provide administrative and clerical support in a variety of settings. They help maintain records, collect data and information, and respond to customers’ questions or concerns.

Duties

Information clerks typically do the following:

  • Keep records and information
  • Help colleagues and customers with routine administrative work
  • Prepare and locate records and information that colleagues and customers need
  • Ensure that colleagues and customers follow proper procedures

Information clerks generally manage a particular kind of information or record. Some clerks work in a particular setting.

Correspondence clerks review and respond to inquiries from the public, other businesses, or other departments. They gather information and data so that they can give accurate answers to questions and requests. Correspondence clerks write letters or email in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. They may have to gather data before replying.

Court clerks organize and maintain the records of the court for which they work. They prepare the calendar of cases, also known as a docket, and tell attorneys and witnesses when they need to appear in court. Court clerks put together materials for court proceedings and prepare, file, and forward case files. They also keep records of, and answer inquiries about, court proceedings.

Eligibility interviewers do interviews both in person and over the phone to determine if applicants qualify for government assistance and resources. They answer applicants’ questions about benefits and programs and refer them to other agencies or programs when their own agency cannot help.

File clerks keep companies’ and organizations’ paper or electronic records. They enter data into, organize, and retrieve files. In organizations with electronic filing systems, file clerks scan and upload documents.

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks provide customer service to guests, often at the facility’s front desk. They check guests in and out, assign rooms, and verify guests’ method of payment. They also keep records about which rooms are occupied and take reservations. These clerks answer guests’ questions and respond to their concerns. For example, they may give guests directions or send housekeeping staff to their room if it is not clean.

Human resources assistants provide administrative support to human resource departments. They keep personnel records, collecting information about employees, such as their addresses, employment history, and performance evaluations. They post information about job openings and review the resumes and applications of candidates for employment to ensure that they are eligible for the positions for which they have applied.

Interviewers do interviews over the phone, in person, through the mail, or electronically. They use the information they get to complete forms, applications, or questionnaires for market research surveys, Census forms, and medical histories. Interviewers are usually given specific instructions about what questions to ask and what information to collect. They compile and record information from their interviews.

License clerks help the public with applications for licenses and permits. They process applications and collect application fees. They determine if applicants are qualified to receive the particular license or permit. They keep records of applications received and licenses issued. License clerks keep applicants informed about the status of their application and notify them if they need to provide additional information.

Municipal clerks provide administrative support to town and city governments. They keep minutes of town and city council meetings and then distribute the minutes to local officials and staff. Municipal clerks help prepare for elections by creating ballots and training election officials. They respond to requests for information from the public, local and state officials, and state and federal legislators. Municipal clerks also maintain town and city records.

Order clerks receive orders from customers and enter the information into their company’s order entry system. They also answer customers’ questions about prices and shipping. Order clerks collect information about customers, such as their address and method of payment, to put into the order entry system.

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks take and confirm passengers’ reservations for hotels and transportation. They also sell and issue tickets and answer questions about itineraries, rates, and package tours. These clerks prepare invoices outlining rates and fees and accept payment from passengers. They may check baggage and assign boarding passes to passengers.

Work Environment About this section

Information clerks
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks take and confirm passengers’ and guests’ reservations for hotels and transportation.

Information clerks held about 1.6 million jobs in 2010.

Information clerks are employed throughout the economy. Some of the places they work include medical offices, government agencies, law offices, and private businesses.

Work Schedules

Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel, motel, and resort clerks, for file clerks, and for interviewers.

How to Become an Information Clerk About this section

Information clerks
Many organizations maintain files and records on computers so information clerks need to be comfortable using and maintaining computer databases.

A high school diploma is enough for most positions, but some employers prefer workers who have some education beyond high school.

Education

A high school diploma is generally enough for most positions as an information clerk. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have some college education or an associate’s or higher degree.

Training

Most information clerks are trained on the job in the policies and procedures of the business or government agency that employs them. Some types of information clerks, such as those who work for government agencies, may have to go through longer periods of training.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to colleagues and customers.

Computer skills. Many organizations maintain files and records on computers. Therefore, information clerks must be comfortable working with computer databases.

Discretion. Information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information, and they need to be able to keep this information private.

Organizational skills. Information clerks manage files, applications, and correspondences, so they need to have good organizational skills to find files quickly and efficiently.

People skills. Many information clerks interact with others regularly in person or on the phone. They must be able to work effectively with others to get the information they need and to understand and satisfy the needs of others.

Pay About this section

Information Clerks

Median annual wages, May 2010

Total, All Occupations

$33,840

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

$30,710

Information Clerks

$29,990

 

The median annual wage of information clerks was $29,990 in May 2010. 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 $18,210, and the top 10 percent earned more than $47,700.

The median wages for information clerks in May 2010 were the following:

  • $39,960 for eligibility clerks
  • $36,800 for human resources assistants
  • $34,390 for court, municipal, and license clerks
  • $33,410 for correspondence clerks
  • $31,740 for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
  • $28,820 for interviewers
  • $28,710 for order clerks
  • $25,090 for file clerks
  • $19,930 for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
  • $37,010 for all other information and record clerks

Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel, motel, and resort clerks, for file clerks, and for interviewers.

Job Outlook About this section

Information Clerks

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations

14%

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

10%

Information Clerks

7%

 

Employment of information clerks is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. However, employment growth will vary by specialty. Projected employment change for specific types of information clerks from 2010 to 2020 is as follows:

  • Employment of interviewers is projected to grow by 17 percent. Rapid growth in the healthcare and market research industries that employ most of these workers will generate jobs for interviewers. However, the expanding use of online surveys and questionnaires for market research, as well as the increasing use of digital health records, is expected to limit growth.
  • Employment of human resources assistants is expected to grow by 11 percent. Because more offices are moving toward electronic methods of recordkeeping, demand for these workers, who help maintain personnel records, will decrease.
  • Employment of hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks: is projected to grow by 11 percent. As developers open new hotels, the number of jobs for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks should increase. In addition, jobs should be created through demand from consumers who begin traveling again as the economy recovers from the 2007-09 recession.
  • Employment of court, municipal, and license clerks is expected grow by 8 percent. Growth is expected because of increases in demand for government and court services. As more citizens seek licenses and other municipal records, towns, cities, and courts will need to hire more clerks to handle their requests.
  • Employment of order clerks is projected to grow by 7 percent. Improvements to technology have decreased the need for these workers. As more consumers buy online, demand for order clerks will continue to decline.
  • Employment of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is expected to grow by 6 percent. Increased use of online reservations systems and self-service ticketing machines will reduce the number of people needed to provide the services these workers offer.
  • Employment of eligibility interviewers is projected to grow by 3 percent. The increase in the number of baby boomers retiring and becoming eligible for Social Security and other government entitlement programs will be the main cause of growth in this occupation. However, automation should reduce employment growth for some eligibility interviewers as more government programs allow people to apply for assistance online.
  • Employment of file clerks is expected to decline by 5 percent. Declines are expected as businesses, including doctors’ offices, increasingly convert to electronic recordkeeping systems. As a result, fewer file clerks will be needed to maintain and organize files. In addition, duties that file clerks used to do will increasingly be done by other workers.
  • Employment of correspondence clerks is projected to decline by 12 percent. As duties previously handled by correspondence clerks are increasingly given to other workers, such as administrative assistants, fewer jobs will be available for correspondence clerks.
  • Employment of all other information and recordkeeping clerks is expected to grow by 1 percent.
Employment projections data for information clerks, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Information Clerks

1,605,300 1,714,300 7 108,900

Correspondence Clerks

43-4021 10,200 9,000 -12 -1,200 [XLS]

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

43-4031 129,500 139,900 8 10,400 [XLS]

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs

43-4061 125,700 129,600 3 3,900 [XLS]

File Clerks

43-4071 185,000 176,200 -5 -8,800 [XLS]

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

43-4081 227,500 252,700 11 25,200 [XLS]

Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

43-4111 213,500 250,400 17 36,900 [XLS]

Order Clerks

43-4151 212,100 227,900 7 15,700 [XLS]

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

43-4161 156,900 174,500 11 17,600 [XLS]

Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks

43-4181 124,300 131,500 6 7,200 [XLS]

Information and Record Clerks, All Other

43-4199 220,600 222,700 1 2,100 [XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of information clerks.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2010 MEDIAN PAY Help
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy.

High school diploma or equivalent $34,030
Compensation and benefits managers

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Compensation managers plan, direct, and coordinate how and how much an organization pays its employees. Benefits managers do the same for retirement plans, health insurance, and other benefits an organization offers its employees.

Bachelor’s degree $89,270
Financial clerks

Financial Clerks

Financial clerks do administrative work for banking, insurance, and other companies. They keep records, help customers, and carry out financial transactions.

High school diploma or equivalent $33,710
General office clerks

General Office Clerks

General office clerks do a broad range of administrative tasks, including answering telephones, typing or word processing, and filing. However, tasks vary widely in different jobs.

High school diploma or equivalent $26,610
Human resources managers

Human Resources Managers

Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.

Bachelor’s degree $99,180
Human resource specialists

Human Resources Specialists

Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They also may handle human resources work in a variety of other areas, such as employee relations, payroll and benefits, and training.

Bachelor’s degree $52,690
Lodging managers

Lodging Managers

Lodging managers make sure that guests on vacation or business travel have a pleasant experience, while also ensuring that an establishment is run efficiently and profitably.

High school diploma or equivalent $46,880
Material recording clerks

Material Recording Clerks

Material recording clerks keep track of information to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.

See How to Become One $24,100
Receptionists

Receptionists

Receptionists perform various administrative tasks, including answering telephones and giving information to the public and customers. 

High school diploma or equivalent $25,240
Training and development managers

Training and Development Managers

Training and development managers plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees. They also oversee a staff of training and development specialists.

Bachelor’s degree $89,170
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Information Clerks,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/information-clerks.htm (visited October 02, 2012).

Publish Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012