File clerks organize, store, and retrieve documents and records that keep organizations running. You work with computers and paper files, manage information systems, and help people find what they need. You can start with an associate degree or relevant experience.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
File clerks maintain filing systems and databases that store important documents and records. You organize materials by name, number, or subject, update records as information changes, and retrieve files when people request them. You work with both physical files and computer systems, entering data and ensuring everything is accurate and easy to find. You also answer questions from coworkers and the public about where records are located and how to access them. Attention to detail and organization are central to the role.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
File Clerks earn a median of $43,600 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 7,300 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most file clerk positions require an associate degree or equivalent work experience. You'll develop skills in data entry, computer systems, and records management through coursework or on-the-job training. Some employers hire people with high school diplomas and provide training. Focus on building proficiency with office software, databases, and filing systems. Consider internships or entry-level administrative roles to gain practical experience. Talk with a counselor about whether an associate degree or direct entry makes sense for your situation.
File clerk roles are available through community colleges offering associate programs and through direct hire at government agencies and businesses. If you're deciding between formal education and learning on the job, Pathly can map the file clerk path that fits you with your counselor to map out the path that fits your timeline and goals.
You're detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable following systems and procedures. You like working with information and data, and you're reliable about maintaining accuracy and order.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).