File Clerks Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for file clerks in the United States was $43,600 ($20.96 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Median | $43,600 | $20.96 |
| 75th | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| 90th | $63,490 | $30.53 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 43-4071
- Total U.S. employment: 73,440
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
The mean wage of $45,590 sits 4.6% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $20.96 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $43,597 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $43,600.
File Clerks Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,290 | $18.41 | -12.2% | 110 |
| Alaska | $49,910 | $24.00 | +14.5% | 150 |
| Arizona | $43,690 | $21.01 | +0.2% | 2,190 |
| Arkansas | $38,470 | $18.49 | -11.8% | 310 |
| California | $49,040 | $23.58 | +12.5% | 9,520 |
| Colorado | $46,490 | $22.35 | +6.6% | 1,130 |
| Connecticut | $44,810 | $21.55 | +2.8% | 350 |
| Delaware | $39,940 | $19.20 | -8.4% | 0 |
| Florida | $41,750 | $20.07 | -4.2% | 6,180 |
| Georgia | $41,000 | $19.71 | -6.0% | 2,570 |
| Hawaii | $50,630 | $24.34 | +16.1% | 100 |
| Idaho | $45,910 | $22.07 | +5.3% | 540 |
| Illinois | $49,920 | $24.00 | +14.5% | 3,780 |
| Indiana | $39,740 | $19.11 | -8.9% | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $46,560 | $22.38 | +6.8% | 430 |
| Kansas | $42,130 | $20.26 | -3.4% | 570 |
| Kentucky | $39,250 | $18.87 | -10.0% | 250 |
| Louisiana | $32,200 | $15.48 | -26.1% | 680 |
| Maine | $43,910 | $21.11 | +0.7% | 210 |
| Maryland | $44,920 | $21.60 | +3.0% | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $48,310 | $23.22 | +10.8% | 600 |
| Michigan | $43,950 | $21.13 | +0.8% | 1,820 |
| Minnesota | $46,640 | $22.43 | +7.0% | 760 |
| Mississippi | $31,260 | $15.03 | -28.3% | 0 |
| Missouri | $38,400 | $18.46 | -11.9% | 1,000 |
| Montana | $38,370 | $18.45 | -12.0% | 410 |
| Nebraska | $40,640 | $19.54 | -6.8% | 750 |
| Nevada | $44,150 | $21.22 | +1.3% | 1,110 |
| New Hampshire | $44,390 | $21.34 | +1.8% | 300 |
| New Jersey | $44,400 | $21.34 | +1.8% | 2,310 |
| New Mexico | $37,700 | $18.12 | -13.5% | 340 |
| New York | $44,340 | $21.32 | +1.7% | 2,590 |
| North Carolina | $43,260 | $20.80 | -0.8% | 1,970 |
| North Dakota | $42,860 | $20.61 | -1.7% | 60 |
| Ohio | $40,650 | $19.54 | -6.8% | 1,820 |
| Oklahoma | $39,170 | $18.83 | -10.2% | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $50,660 | $24.36 | +16.2% | 970 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,920 | $20.63 | -1.6% | 2,830 |
| Rhode Island | $36,400 | $17.50 | -16.5% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $39,350 | $18.92 | -9.7% | 1,210 |
| South Dakota | $36,640 | $17.62 | -16.0% | 0 |
| Tennessee | $43,010 | $20.68 | -1.4% | 2,060 |
| Texas | $39,480 | $18.98 | -9.4% | 11,340 |
| Utah | $41,450 | $19.93 | -4.9% | 510 |
| Vermont | $47,540 | $22.86 | +9.0% | 70 |
| Virginia | $39,900 | $19.18 | -8.5% | 2,110 |
| Washington | $45,830 | $22.04 | +5.1% | 520 |
| West Virginia | $31,600 | $15.19 | -27.5% | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | $21.70 | +3.5% | 1,550 |
| Wyoming | — | — | — | 70 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Managers, All Other — $141,900/yr
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,860/yr
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
- Medical and Health Services Managers — $123,860/yr
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $36,280/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for file clerks?
The median annual wage for file clerks is $43,600 ($20.96 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays file clerks the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many file clerks are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 73,440 file clerks employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do file clerks make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $20.96. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.