Who Earns What

How much does a correspondence clerk make?

US Correspondence Clerks
$46,800

a year · about $23 an hour

A typical correspondence clerk in the United States makes $46,800 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They open emails and letters, figure out what each person needs, check records, and write clear replies about orders, bills, claims, or complaints. They proofread and save the messages, or send tricky cases to another department.

Did you know? A correspondence clerk may do more than write: O*NET lists making sure collected money is recorded correctly and kept secure.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$46,800
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $33,300 and $64,510
55 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the U.S., people often start after high school, usually around age 18; a diploma or GED is typical, and no prior work experience is listed. New hires learn the employer’s rules, forms, and software through short on-the-job training.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and writing or record-keeping skills, the employer or industry, and location. More complex, responsible work, valued education or certificates, and hours worked can also make a difference.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Connecticut ($61,310), lowest in Louisiana ($36,790).

See every state
Whole US$46,800
Connecticut$61,310
Oregon$61,160
California$53,640
Idaho$51,010
Nebraska$49,800
Pennsylvania$40,270
Arizona$39,900
Louisiana$36,790

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Correspondence clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$33,300$46,800$64,510about 4,000
States where correspondence clerks earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Connecticut$61,310about 70
Oregon$61,160about 110
California$53,640about 240
Idaho$51,010about 40
Nebraska$49,800about 60

Official definition: Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY