Reservation and transportation ticket agents issue boarding passes to passengers.
Information clerks do routine clerical tasks such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.
Duties
Information clerks typically do the following:
Prepare routine reports, claims, bills, or orders
Collect and record data from customers, staff, and the public
Answer questions from customers and the public about products or services
File and maintain paper or electronic records
Information clerks do routine clerical tasks in an organization, business, or government. They use telephones, computers, and other office equipment, such as scanners and shredders.
The following are examples of types of information clerks:
Correspondence clerks respond to inquiries from the public or customers. They prepare standard responses to requests for merchandise, damage claims, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or complaints about unsatisfactory service. They may also check the organization’s records and type response letters for their supervisors to sign.
Court clerks organize and maintain records for courts of law. They prepare the calendar of cases, also known as the docket, and inform attorneys and witnesses about upcoming court appearances. Court clerks also receive, file, and send court documents.
Eligibility interviewers ask questions both in person and over the phone to determine whether applicants qualify for government assistance and benefits. They provide information about programs and may refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
File clerks maintain electronic or paper records. They enter and retrieve data, organize records, and file documents. In organizations with electronic filing systems, file clerks scan and upload documents.
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, also called front desk clerks, provide customer service to guests at the establishment’s front desk. They check guests in and out, assign rooms, and process payments. They also keep occupancy records; take, confirm, or change room reservations; and provide information about the hotel’s policies and services. In addition, front desk clerks answer phone calls, take and deliver messages for guests, and handle guests’ requests and complaints.
Human resources assistants provide administrative support to human resources managers. They maintain personnel records on employees, including their addresses, employment history, and performance evaluations. They may post information about job openings and compile candidates’ résumé for review.
Interviewers ask questions over the phone, in person, through mail, or online. They use the information to complete forms, applications, or questionnaires for market research surveys, census forms, and medical histories. Interviewers typically follow set procedures and questionnaires to get specific information.
License clerks process applications for licenses and permits, including administering tests and collecting fees. They determine whether applicants are qualified to receive a particular license or must submit additional documentation. They also maintain records of applications received and licenses issued.
Municipal clerks provide administrative support for town or city governments by maintaining government records. They record, file, and distribute minutes of town or city council meetings to local officials and staff and help prepare for elections. They may also answer information requests from local, state, and federal officials and the public.
Order clerks receive requests from customers and process their payments, which may involve entering the customer address and payment method into the order-entry system. They also answer questions about prices and shipping.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks take and confirm passengers’ bookings for hotels and transportation. They also sell and issue tickets and answer questions about itineraries, rates, and tours. Ticket agents who work at airports and railroads also check bags and issue boarding passes to passengers.
Hotel desk clerks may work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Information clerks held about 1.5 million jobs in 2019. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up information clerks was distributed as follows:
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
276,500
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan
201,900
Information and record clerks, all other
166,500
Court, municipal, and license clerks
163,700
Eligibility interviewers, government programs
147,500
Order clerks
146,000
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
126,300
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
123,900
File clerks
106,700
Correspondence clerks
6,800
The largest employers of information clerks were as follows:
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
14%
Healthcare and social assistance
12
Transportation and warehousing
7
Federal government
7
Administrative and support services
6
Information clerks work in nearly every industry. Although most clerks work in offices, interviewers may travel to applicants’ locations to meet with them.
The work of information clerks who provide customer service can be stressful, particularly when dealing with dissatisfied customers.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents at airports or shipping counters lift and maneuver heavy luggage or packages, which may weigh up to 100 pounds.
Injuries and Illnesses
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Lifting and maneuvering heavy luggage or packages may lead to sprains, strains, or overexertion. To avoid injuries, these workers must follow procedures, such as protocols for safe lifting.
Work Schedules
Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel clerks and file clerks.
Clerks in lodging and transportation establishments that are open around the clock may work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Information clerks must be comfortable using computers.
Information clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job.
Education
Although candidates for most of these positions usually qualify with a high school diploma, human resources assistants generally need an associate’s degree. Regardless of whether they pursue a degree, courses in word processing and spreadsheet applications are particularly helpful.
Training
Most information clerks receive short-term on-the-job training, usually lasting a few weeks. Training typically covers clerical procedures and the use of computer applications. Those employed in government receive training that may last several months and includes learning about government programs and regulations.
Communication skills. Information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to customers and the public.
Integrity. Information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information. They must be trusted to adhere to the applicable confidentiality and privacy rules governing the dissemination of this information.
Interpersonal skills. Information clerks who work with the public and customers must understand and communicate information effectively to establish positive relationships.
Organizational skills. Information clerks must be able to retrieve files and other important information quickly and efficiently.
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median annual wage for information clerks was $35,390 in May 2019.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,590.
Median annual wages for information clerks in May 2019 were as follows:
Eligibility interviewers, government programs
$46,590
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
41,430
Information and record clerks, all other
41,360
Court, municipal, and license clerks
39,380
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
38,380
Correspondence clerks
38,140
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan
34,970
Order clerks
34,240
File clerks
32,710
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
24,470
In May 2019, the median annual wages for information clerks in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Federal government
$45,980
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
40,000
Transportation and warehousing
39,720
Healthcare and social assistance
35,740
Administrative and support services
34,220
Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel clerks and file clerks.
Clerks who work in lodging and transportation establishments that are open around the clock may work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of information clerks is projected to decline 3 percent from 2019 to 2029. However, demand for information clerks will vary by occupation. (See table below.)
Overall employment of information clerks is expected to decline as organizations and businesses combine their administrative functions. For example, businesses increasingly use online applications for benefits and employment, thereby streamlining the process and requiring fewer workers.
Furthermore, increased use of online ordering and reservations systems and self-service ticketing kiosks will result in the need for fewer clerks to process orders and maintain files. In some businesses, including medical offices, receptionists and other workers do tasks that used to be done by clerks.
However, local governments will continue to need court, municipal, and license clerks for clerical duties in local courts, government agencies, or town councils. Tasks may include preparing dockets of cases to be called, preparing draft agendas or bylaws, keeping financial records, and issuing licenses or permits. There should also continue to be demand from local and state governments for eligibility interviewers to determine whether government assistance, such as unemployment or Social Security benefits, is appropriate for people applying for it.
Job Prospects
Overall job prospects should be good because of the need to replace workers who leave the occupation each year. Workers with clerical or customer service experience and education beyond high school should have the best prospects.
Employment projections data for information clerks, 2019-29
Occupational Title
SOC Code
Employment, 2019
Projected Employment, 2029
Change, 2019-29
Employment by Industry
Percent
Numeric
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program