Correspondence Clerks

People in this career spend their days drafting letters and electronic messages to address customer inquiries, billing disputes, and service complaints. To formulate accurate replies, these clerks must gather information, process data, and document details carefully. The daily routine involves working with computers, communicating with colleagues, and interacting with people outside the organization to solve problems.

Success in this role requires strong writing, reading comprehension, active listening, and speaking skills. Clerks must use critical thinking and sound judgment to resolve issues like delinquent accounts or damage claims. This occupation attracts individuals with conventional interests who enjoy structured, detail-oriented tasks. Important work styles include attention to detail, dependability, cooperation, and empathy when dealing with frustrated customers. Clerks also rely on their knowledge of administrative procedures, the English language, customer service, and basic mathematics to perform their duties effectively.

To enter this career, individuals typically need a high school diploma. Because this occupation is classified under O*NET Job Zone 2, most workers need some preparation before starting. This preparation usually consists of a high school education combined with some on-the-job training or previous work experience to learn the necessary administrative procedures.

While a college degree is not standard, students can prepare for this field by studying relevant programs. The college major that directly leads to this career is Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. This coursework helps students build the foundational skills in computers, office administration, and communication required for the role. No specific professional certifications, licenses, or associations are listed as requirements to enter this field.

In 2025, the median annual pay for correspondence clerks was $46,800. This means half of the workers in this field earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less. The lowest ten percent of earners made less than $33,300, and the highest ten percent earned more than $64,510.

There are 4,290 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to decline by -5.6%. Despite this projected decrease in total jobs, about 500 openings are still expected to become available each year.