General Clerk
SOC 43-9061.00 · ESCO 4110 · OSCA 561131
Role snapshot
Overview
Performs a range of essential office duties including filing, photocopying, data entry, sorting mail, and answering phones. General Clerks are crucial for maintaining efficient daily operations, managing records, and providing administrative support across various departments or small businesses.
Ensures smooth administrative operations, maintains accurate records, and provides foundational support that allows other departments to function effectively.
On the job
- Manage and organise physical and digital filing systems
- Perform accurate data entry and update records
- Handle incoming and outgoing mail, including sorting and distribution
- Answer and direct phone calls, taking messages as needed
- Operate office equipment such as photocopiers, scanners, and fax machines
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
High school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Some roles may prefer a post-secondary certificate in office administration or business.
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?
Filing, data entry, mail sorting, and directing phone calls are highly susceptible to automation due to their structured and repetitive nature.
End-to-end automation
high
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
Many core tasks, especially digital filing and data entry, can be fully automated or performed with minimal human intervention.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Extremely high, as there is clear and immediate ROI for automating these low-risk, high-volume administrative tasks.
Human dependence
low
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Very low, as most tasks are rule-bound and do not require significant judgment, complex relationships, or high accountability.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
low
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
Limited, as the core tasks are highly specific and amenable to automation, requiring a significant shift into different administrative support roles.
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.
- Manage digital and physical filing systems
- Perform accurate data entry and update records
- Sort and distribute incoming and outgoing mail
- Answer and direct routine phone calls
- Transcribe meeting notes or documents
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Resolving complex administrative issues
- Managing advanced digital office tools
- Handling sensitive or confidential information
- Providing personalized customer service
- Overseeing and troubleshooting automated systems
- Coordinating complex schedules
- Adapting to unexpected office needs
How the role may evolve
Automating the routine; empowering the complex.
Clerks will evolve from performing repetitive tasks to managing the digital tools that automate those tasks, offering more sophisticated support and problem-solving.
Strengthen your future fit
- Master advanced office software and automation tools
- Develop strong digital literacy and troubleshooting
- Enhance problem-solving and critical thinking
- Improve interpersonal and communication skills
- Understand basic data management principles
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- 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
General Clerk
Personal & Professional Services
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
conventional · CES
People who enjoy organised tasks, structured environments, and interacting with colleagues in a supportive capacity often thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Organised
Enjoys creating and maintaining structured systems for information and tasks.
Detail-oriented
Pays close attention to accuracy in data entry and document management.
Cooperative
Works well with colleagues and is helpful in supporting team needs.
Calm under pressure
Handles routine demands and occasional interruptions without becoming flustered.
Practical
Focuses on efficient and effective ways to complete daily administrative duties.
Best for
- Individuals who value order, accuracy, and providing reliable administrative support.
- People who thrive in structured environments with clear guidelines and responsibilities.
- Those who enjoy contributing to the smooth daily operation of an office or business.
Watch out for
- Tasks are often highly routine, which may not suit those seeking constant novelty or creative freedom.
- Limited opportunities for independent decision-making or strategic planning.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a General 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 General Clerk roles
What does a General Clerk do?
A General Clerk performs a range of essential office duties including filing, photocopying, data entry, sorting mail, and answering phones. General Clerks are crucial for maintaining efficient daily operations, managing records, and providing administrative support across various departments or small businesses. Ensures smooth administrative operations, maintains accurate records, and provides foundational support that allows other departments to function effectively.
How much does a General Clerk earn?
A General 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 General Clerk?
To become a General Clerk, high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Some roles may prefer a post-secondary certificate in office administration or business.
What personality suits a General Clerk?
General Clerk roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 75/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 70/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Organised, Detail-oriented, Cooperative and Calm under pressure. Enjoys creating and maintaining structured systems for information and tasks. On interests, General Clerk maps to a CES Holland Code profile — people who enjoy organised tasks, structured environments, and interacting with colleagues in a supportive capacity often thrive in this role.
Who does a General Clerk role suit?
A General Clerk role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Conventional alignment: the role rewards precision, organisation, and structured tasks. A significant portion of the work involves clear, defined procedures and administrative routines. High Agreeableness and low Neuroticism support a stable, supportive work environment.
What are the downsides of being a General Clerk?
General Clerk roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Tasks are often highly routine, which may not suit those seeking constant novelty or creative freedom. Limited opportunities for independent decision-making or strategic planning.
What is the work environment like for a General Clerk?
Work as a General 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 65% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a General Clerk?
Core skills for a General Clerk include Data entry, Organisational skills, Attention to detail, Office equipment operation and Communication skills.
How do you become a General Clerk?
Common entry routes into General Clerk roles include High School Graduate and Customer Service Representative.
What career progression is there for a General Clerk?
From a General Clerk role, common next steps include Administrative Assistant and Office Manager; lateral moves include Receptionist.
What is the job outlook for General Clerk roles?
The outlook for General Clerk roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace General Clerk roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for General Clerk roles at 87 out of 100, which is strong. Routine administrative work like data entry and filing will be automated, requiring clerks to focus on complex problem-solving, digital tool management, and personalized communication. AI is most likely to take on manage digital and physical filing systems, perform accurate data entry and update records and sort and distribute incoming and outgoing mail. Resolving complex administrative issues, managing advanced digital office tools and handling sensitive or confidential information stay with people. Automating the routine; empowering the complex. 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.