| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers. |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Deliver messages and run errands. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments. |
Associate Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.
An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 571 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Office Clerks, General.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Office Clerks, General" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Office Clerks, General
Description: Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Office Clerks, General":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
2,933,900U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
2,873,600
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
-60,400 (-2.1%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
324,600
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes. |
| Importance: 30 (%) | Description: Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information. | |
| Calculate weights, volumes or other characteristics of materials. | |
| Check data for recording errors. | |
| Collect deposits, payments or fees. | |
| Compile data or documentation. | |
| Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities. | |
| Distribute incoming mail. | |
| Execute sales or other financial transactions. | |
| File documents or records. | |
| Maintain inventory records. | |
| Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition. | |
| Monitor inventories of products or materials. | |
| Operate office equipment. | |
| Prepare cash for deposit or disbursement. | |
| Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance. | |
| Prepare employee work schedules. | |
| Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy. | |
| Provide information to coworkers. | |
| Record information from meetings or other formal proceedings. | |
| Respond to customer problems or complaints. | |
| Schedule appointments. | |
| Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
| Sort mail. | |
| Supervise clerical or administrative personnel. | |
| Train personnel. | |
| Transcribe spoken or written information. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Assign work to others. |
| Activity: Collect fares or payments. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities. |
| Activity: Compile records, documentation, or other data. |
| Activity: Distribute materials, supplies, or resources. |
| Activity: Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Execute financial transactions. |
| Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Maintain tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment. |
| Activity: Monitor resources or inventories. |
| Activity: Operate office equipment. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Provide information to guests, clients, or customers. |
| Activity: Reconcile financial data. |
| Activity: Respond to customer problems or inquiries. |
| Activity: Schedule appointments. |
| Activity: Sort materials or products. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Train others on operational or work procedures. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
||||||||
| High-Priority Tech Skills | ||||||||
| Accounting software: | ||||||||
| Intuit QuickBooks | ||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||||
| Google Workspace software Microsoft Office software | ||||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Access Yardi software | ||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | ||||||||
| Adobe InDesign | ||||||||
| Document management software: | ||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat Microsoft SharePoint | ||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||
| Oracle PeopleSoft SAP software | ||||||||
| Medical software: | ||||||||
| Henry Schein Dentrix MEDITECH software | ||||||||
| Operating system software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Windows | ||||||||
| Project management software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Project | ||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | ||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||
| Google Docs | ||||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||||
| Accounting software: | ||||||||
| Bookkeeping software Sage 50 Accounting | ||||||||
| Billing and invoicing software: | ||||||||
| Billing software | ||||||||
| Calendar and scheduling software: | ||||||||
| Appointment scheduling software | ||||||||
| Cloud-based data access and sharing software: | ||||||||
| Dropbox Google Drive | ||||||||
| Customer relationship management CRM software: | ||||||||
| Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge Microsoft Dynamics Salesforce.com Salesforce CRM | ||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below): | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | ||||||||
| Microsoft Publisher | ||||||||
| Document management software: | ||||||||
| Filing system software Records management software Transcription system software | ||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||
| IBM Notes Microsoft Exchange | ||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | ||||||||
| Electronic Data Interchange EDI systems | ||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||
| Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Oracle PeopleSoft Financials | ||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||||
| SmugMug Flickr | ||||||||
| Human resources software: | ||||||||
| ADP Workforce Now | ||||||||
| Information retrieval or search software: | ||||||||
| LexisNexis | ||||||||
| Instant messaging software: | ||||||||
| GroupMe | ||||||||
| Internet browser software: | ||||||||
| Web browser software | ||||||||
| Medical software: | ||||||||
| Medical condition coding software Medical procedure coding software | ||||||||
| Project management software: | ||||||||
| Mavenlink | ||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | ||||||||
| Google Sites Social media sites | ||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||
| 3M Post-it App Evernote |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 40.6 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 36.4 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.7 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.5 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.5 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.2 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 30.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 23.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 19.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 11.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Office Clerks, General". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Office Clerks, General
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
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