How much does a correspondence clerk make?
The median correspondence clerk in the United States earns $46,800 per year, about $22.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all correspondence clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4021.
Correspondence clerk salary range
Pay for correspondence clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,300 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $64,510. The average (mean) wage of $48,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,300 | $16.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,610 | $18.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,800 | $22.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $56,090 | $26.97 | |
| 90th percentile | $64,510 | $31.02 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for correspondence clerks (SOC 43-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Correspondence clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Correspondence clerks earn the most in Connecticut at $61,310 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $36,790. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $61,310 | 70 |
| Oregon | $61,160 | 110 |
| California | $53,640 | 240 |
| Idaho | $51,010 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $49,800 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $49,730 | 120 |
| Indiana | $49,710 | 70 |
| Ohio | $49,700 | 40 |
| New York | $49,360 | 540 |
| Maine | $49,180 | 40 |
| Texas | $48,860 | 830 |
| New Jersey | $48,510 | 40 |
| Virginia | $48,310 | N/A |
| Nevada | $47,820 | 130 |
| Utah | $47,450 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $47,400 | N/A |
| Illinois | $46,280 | 50 |
| Colorado | $45,510 | 50 |
| Missouri | $43,400 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $42,390 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $42,340 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $41,710 | 130 |
| Michigan | $40,780 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,270 | 140 |
| Arizona | $39,900 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $36,790 | 60 |
State median wages for correspondence clerks (SOC 43-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for correspondence clerks
The BLS projects employment of correspondence clerks to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for correspondence clerks. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a correspondence clerk
The typical entry-level education for correspondence clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a correspondence clerk earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $61,310) and the lowest (Louisiana, $36,790) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,290 people work as correspondence clerks in the United States. At $46,800 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Correspondence clerk salary FAQ
How much does a correspondence clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a correspondence clerk is $22.50. The middle half of correspondence clerks earn between $18.56 and $26.97 per hour.
What is the highest correspondence clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of correspondence clerks earn more than $64,510 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a correspondence clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for a correspondence clerk is $46,800. The average (mean) wage of $48,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a correspondence clerk a well paid job?
At $46,800 a year, a correspondence clerk earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,290 people work as correspondence clerks in the United States.
Which state pays correspondence clerks the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for correspondence clerks at $61,310 a year. Oregon ($61,160) and California ($53,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a correspondence clerk a good career?
Employment of correspondence clerks is projected to shrink 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a correspondence clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for correspondence clerks as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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