How much does a records clerk make?
Answer: A typical records clerk in the United States makes $49,500 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 135,000 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
Records 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
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.
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 records clerk do?
All information and record clerks not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
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.
Earn more in the same field
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/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