How much does a correspondence clerk make?
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 knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,300 and $64,510How 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
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,300 | $46,800 | $64,510 | about 4,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $61,310 | about 70 |
| Oregon | $61,160 | about 110 |
| California | $53,640 | about 240 |
| Idaho | $51,010 | about 40 |
| Nebraska | $49,800 | about 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
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes434021.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/43-4021.00
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY