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Profession JRI–29 / Office & Professional

Will AI replace general office clerks?

General office clerks serve as the administrative backbone of an organization, handling a wide mix of communication, record-keeping, and machine-related tasks. As routine documentation and data entry become increasingly automated, the durable value of this role lies in interpreting nuanced requests, smoothing interpersonal friction, and knowing which office system fits a situation.

The risk spectrum — where General Office Clerk sits
General Office Clerk vs the 82 other jobs
Risk rank29 / 83
Automation timeline2-5 years
Median salary$45,010
Projected growth-6.7% (2024–34)
01 / Job market

Official outlook: shrinking.

Within the 83 professions
Salary$45,010
$31k$171k
Growth-6.7% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a -6.7% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 2,464,940 people employed earning a median of $45,010 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

02 / Real salaries

General Office Clerk salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

See real salaries →

03 / How to enter

How to become a general office clerk.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

06 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace general office clerks?
Routine documentation and data entry will become automated for General Office Clerks, yet nuanced tasks remain. Projected automation falls within 2-5 years, and this occupation's risk score is 69.
02How soon or how fast could that happen for General Office Clerks?
Job numbers are set to shift by -6.7% across 2024–34, while automation is expected to take over routine tasks within 2-5 years. That pace signals a fast change for office workers.
03What skills keep General Office Clerks relevant?
Social Perceptiveness and Service Orientation carry high demand, with Active Listening and Reading Comprehension also rated high. Working with databases like Microsoft Access is a medium-demand skill.
04How does someone become one of General Office Clerks, or what preparation is needed?
Becoming a General Office Clerk typically needs a high school diploma. Preparation also involves Active Listening, Speaking, and machine operation, such as using Adobe Acrobat.
05What related roles could General Office Clerks pivot to?
Two related roles are Executive Administrative Assistants and Management Analysts. Their risk scores are 57 and 45, and clerks who handle nonstandard requests often transition to them.
06Is a General Office Clerk a good career to start in 2026?
Starting as a General Office Clerk in 2026 carries headwinds: annual median pay is $45,010, the employment change is -6.7% over 2024–34, and automation appears within 2-5 years.
07What tasks and tools are common for General Office Clerks?
Common tasks include answering telephones, compiling records, and operating office machines like photocopiers and scanners. Frequently used tools are Intuit QuickBooks, Oracle PeopleSoft, and Henry Schein Dentrix.