Filing or Registry Clerk
SOC 43-4071.00 · ESCO 3252 · OSCA 599131
Role snapshot
Overview
Organises, stores, and retrieves physical and digital records according to classification systems. Maintains filing accuracy, processes incoming documents, and ensures records are accessible when needed. This role is crucial for information governance, ensuring compliance, and supporting efficient operations by providing timely access to critical data.
Ensures the integrity and accessibility of vital organizational records, supporting compliance, decision-making, and operational efficiency.
On the job
- Classify and file physical documents and digital records using established systems.
- Process incoming mail, faxes, and electronic documents for distribution and filing.
- Maintain accurate record-keeping systems, including updating, archiving, and purging outdated information.
- Retrieve documents and information upon request for various departments or individuals.
- Scan, index, and digitize physical records for electronic storage and access.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
DecliningEmployment in this field is projected to decrease as automation and structural shifts take effect.
Education & training
High school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Some roles may prefer a certificate in office administration or records management.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
high
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Classification, indexing, data extraction, and retrieval of documents are highly structured, rule-based tasks perfectly suited for AI automation today.
End-to-end automation
high
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
AI, combined with OCR and intelligent document processing, can largely complete entire workflows from document ingestion to storage and retrieval without human intervention.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Employers face high pressure to adopt AI due to significant ROI in reducing manual errors, improving efficiency, and speeding up access to information, with integrated solutions readily available.
Human dependence
low
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success in this role relies heavily on adherence to established rules and systems, areas where AI excels, minimizing the need for human judgment or interpersonal skills in core tasks.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
low
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The highly automated nature of core tasks offers limited scope for adaptation within the existing role, requiring a shift towards managing AI systems or specializing in information governance.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Automatic classification and indexing of documents
- Extracting data from structured forms
- Digital record retrieval and distribution
- Archiving and purging outdated digital information
- Scanning and digitizing physical records
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Resolving complex document classification issues
- Ensuring compliance with information governance policies
- Handling sensitive and confidential physical records
- Overseeing and auditing automated systems
- Interfacing with legal or compliance teams
- Managing physical archives
- Training and managing document management systems
How the role may evolve
From manual filing to digital governance oversight.
The role will shift from active filing to managing and ensuring the integrity of AI-driven document management systems and addressing non-standard cases.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in document management systems (DMS)
- Understanding of data security and privacy regulations
- Ability to troubleshoot AI document processing errors
- Skills in information governance and compliance auditing
- Transitioning to digital archive management
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- Medium
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Filing or Registry Clerk
Personal & Professional Services
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
conventional · CRS
Individuals who thrive on order, precision, and systematic handling of information, and enjoy contributing to organised environments, often find satisfaction in this role.
Personality characteristics
Detail-oriented
Excels at noticing and correcting small errors in documents and data, ensuring high accuracy.
Organised
Systematically arranges and categorises information, ensuring easy retrieval and efficient workflow.
Methodical
Prefers following established procedures and guidelines for consistency and accuracy in record-keeping.
Reliable
Consistently performs tasks accurately and on schedule, managing confidential information responsibly.
Cooperative
Works well with colleagues to fulfil information requests and maintain shared records systems.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy systematic processes, organisation, and maintaining order.
- Those who prefer a structured work environment with clear guidelines.
- People who take satisfaction in accurate record-keeping and information accessibility.
Watch out for
- The work can be repetitive and requires sustained focus on precise tasks.
- Limited scope for creative problem-solving or independent decision-making.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Filing or Registry Clerk — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Filing or Registry Clerk roles
What does a Filing or Registry Clerk do?
A Filing or Registry Clerk organises, stores, and retrieves physical and digital records according to classification systems. Maintains filing accuracy, processes incoming documents, and ensures records are accessible when needed. This role is crucial for information governance, ensuring compliance, and supporting efficient operations by providing timely access to critical data. Ensures the integrity and accessibility of vital organizational records, supporting compliance, decision-making, and operational efficiency.
How much does a Filing or Registry Clerk earn?
A Filing or Registry Clerk earns a median of $38,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $30,000 to $45,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Filing or Registry Clerk?
To become a Filing or Registry Clerk, high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Some roles may prefer a certificate in office administration or records management.
What personality suits a Filing or Registry Clerk?
Filing or Registry Clerk roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 88/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 78/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Detail-oriented, Organised, Methodical and Reliable. Excels at noticing and correcting small errors in documents and data, ensuring high accuracy. On interests, Filing or Registry Clerk maps to a CRS Holland Code profile — individuals who thrive on order, precision, and systematic handling of information, and enjoy contributing to organised environments, often find satisfaction in this role.
Who does a Filing or Registry Clerk role suit?
A Filing or Registry Clerk role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. High Conventional (C) affinity, aligning with systematic work, organisation, and adherence to procedures. Strong emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy, appealing to those with high conscientiousness. The role provides a structured environment with clear tasks and objectives.
What are the downsides of being a Filing or Registry Clerk?
Filing or Registry Clerk roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The work can be repetitive and requires sustained focus on precise tasks. Limited scope for creative problem-solving or independent decision-making.
What is the work environment like for a Filing or Registry Clerk?
Work as a Filing or Registry Clerk is mostly office-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines, a moderate pace and low exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 75% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Filing or Registry Clerk?
Core skills for a Filing or Registry Clerk include Record keeping, Attention to detail, Information organisation, Data entry and Confidentiality.
How do you become a Filing or Registry Clerk?
Common entry routes into Filing or Registry Clerk roles include Office Clerk, Data Entry Clerk and Mailroom Clerk.
What career progression is there for a Filing or Registry Clerk?
From a Filing or Registry Clerk role, common next steps include Senior Filing Clerk and Records Manager; lateral moves include Administrative Assistant.
What is the job outlook for Filing or Registry Clerk roles?
The outlook for Filing or Registry Clerk roles is currently rated declining. Employment in this field is projected to decrease as automation and structural shifts take effect.
Will AI replace Filing or Registry Clerk roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Filing or Registry Clerk roles at 87 out of 100, which is strong. AI is poised to automate most classification, indexing, and retrieval tasks, leaving only complex exceptions and compliance oversight for human clerks. AI is most likely to take on automatic classification and indexing of documents, extracting data from structured forms and digital record retrieval and distribution. Resolving complex document classification issues, ensuring compliance with information governance policies and handling sensitive and confidential physical records stay with people. From manual filing to digital governance oversight. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.