How much does a file clerk make?
The median file clerk in the United States earns $43,600 per year, about $20.96 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all file clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4071.
File clerk salary range
Pay for file clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,490. The average (mean) wage of $45,590 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 | $31,200 | $15.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,420 | $17.51 | |
| Median (50th) | $43,600 | $20.96 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $51,770 | $24.89 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,490 | $30.53 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for file clerks (SOC 43-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
File clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. File clerks earn the most in Oregon at $50,660 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $31,260. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $50,660 | 970 |
| Hawaii | $50,630 | 100 |
| Illinois | $49,920 | 3,780 |
| Alaska | $49,910 | 150 |
| California | $49,040 | 9,520 |
| Massachusetts | $48,310 | 600 |
| Vermont | $47,540 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $46,640 | 760 |
| Iowa | $46,560 | 430 |
| Colorado | $46,490 | 1,130 |
| Idaho | $45,910 | 540 |
| Washington | $45,830 | 520 |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | 1,550 |
| Maryland | $44,920 | 880 |
| Connecticut | $44,810 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $44,400 | 2,310 |
| New Hampshire | $44,390 | 300 |
| New York | $44,340 | 2,590 |
| Nevada | $44,150 | 1,110 |
| Michigan | $43,950 | 1,820 |
| Maine | $43,910 | 210 |
| Arizona | $43,690 | 2,190 |
| North Carolina | $43,260 | 1,970 |
| Tennessee | $43,010 | 2,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,920 | 2,830 |
| North Dakota | $42,860 | 60 |
| Kansas | $42,130 | 570 |
| Florida | $41,750 | 6,180 |
| Utah | $41,450 | 510 |
| Georgia | $41,000 | 2,570 |
| Ohio | $40,650 | 1,820 |
| Nebraska | $40,640 | 750 |
| Delaware | $39,940 | N/A |
| Virginia | $39,900 | 2,110 |
| Indiana | $39,740 | 1,430 |
| Texas | $39,480 | 11,340 |
| South Carolina | $39,350 | 1,210 |
| Kentucky | $39,250 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $39,170 | 1,440 |
| Arkansas | $38,470 | 310 |
| Missouri | $38,400 | 1,000 |
| Montana | $38,370 | 410 |
| Alabama | $38,290 | 110 |
| New Mexico | $37,700 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $36,640 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $36,400 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $32,200 | 680 |
| West Virginia | $31,600 | 260 |
| Mississippi | $31,260 | N/A |
State median wages for file clerks (SOC 43-4071), 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 file clerks
The BLS projects employment of file clerks to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 15.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 76,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 64,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,600 openings a year for file 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 file clerk
The typical entry-level education for file 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 file 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 (Oregon, $50,660) and the lowest (Mississippi, $31,260) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 73,440 people work as file clerks in the United States. At $43,600 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
File clerk salary FAQ
How much does a file clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a file clerk is $20.96. The middle half of file clerks earn between $17.51 and $24.89 per hour.
What is the highest file clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of file clerks earn more than $63,490 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a file clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for a file clerk is $43,600. The average (mean) wage of $45,590 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 file clerk a well paid job?
At $43,600 a year, a file clerk earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 73,440 people work as file clerks in the United States.
Which state pays file clerks the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for file clerks at $50,660 a year. Hawaii ($50,630) and Illinois ($49,920) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a file clerk a good career?
Employment of file clerks is projected to shrink 15.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a file clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for file clerks as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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