How much does a credit clerk make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical credit clerk in the United States makes $50,080 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
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.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $30,260 and $72,700How do you become one?
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.
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., credit clerks with more experience or harder, more responsible tasks may earn more. Pay also varies by industry and location.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Texas ($62,930), lowest in Georgia ($30,490).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,260 | $50,080 | $72,700 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $62,930 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $61,000 | about 70 |
| Washington | $59,840 | about 110 |
| New Jersey | $59,400 | about 600 |
| Illinois | $58,880 | about 140 |
Official definition: 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.
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