How much does a credit clerk make?
Answer: A typical credit clerk in the United States makes $50,080 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Credit clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,260 | $50,080 | $72,700 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $62,930 | about 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $59,400 | about 600 |
| New York | $56,510 | about 730 |
| California | $51,950 | about 590 |
| North Carolina | $47,340 | about 500 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., credit clerks with more experience or harder, more responsible tasks may earn more. Pay also varies by industry and location.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a credit clerk do?
Authorize credit charges against customers’ accounts. Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. May interview applicants to obtain personal and financial data, determine credit worthiness, process applications, and notify customers of acceptance or rejection of credit.
What's a typical day like?
Credit clerks check applications, credit records, and payment histories, and may call applicants or banks for details. They compare the information with company rules to decide whether to approve credit.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is the usual starting point for credit-clerk work. New hires learn the job through on-the-job training.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Some credit clerks may check public records, not just credit files—such as records of bankruptcies, property ownership, liens, or unpaid taxes.
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Office and Administrative Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/financial-clerks.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4041.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/43-4041.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes434041.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY