How much does a records clerk make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical records clerk in the United States makes $49,500 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?
A records clerk sorts and files paper or electronic records, enters information, and scans documents into a computer. When a coworker needs a file, the clerk searches for it and retrieves it.
Did you know? Some U.S. government records, like emails and databases, were born digital and may be more at risk of being lost than old paper documents.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,870 and $71,420How do you become one?
In the United States, most start after high school or a GED, with basic computer and office skills; some employers prefer college courses. New clerks learn filing rules and software on the job, usually in a few weeks, though government training can take months.
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful credentials, computer skills, and more specialized or responsible tasks can affect a records clerk’s pay. The employer, location, and hours worked matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($70,490), lowest in Wisconsin ($32,470).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,870 | $49,500 | $71,420 | about 135,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $70,490 | about 1,000 |
| California | $58,680 | about 18,000 |
| Maryland | $58,060 | about 3,000 |
| Indiana | $56,310 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $55,830 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: All information and record clerks not listed separately.
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/Information-clerks.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4199.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/email-mgmt
- www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2011/nr11-73.html
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY