File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
U.S. Workers
78,980
Median Salary
$41,270
10-Year Growth
-15.9%
Annual Openings
7,300
Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
19 of 19 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
AI: Fully automatable - OCR combined with classification models can scan incoming materials and automatically determine proper filing and routing.
Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.
AI: Fully automatable - Robotic process automation and integrations can fully handle routine data entry of file numbers and document codes into computer systems.
Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
AI: Fully automatable - Sorting and classifying information by defined guidelines (content, chronology, alphabetical, numerical) is straightforward to automate with rule-based systems and ML.
Answer questions about records or files.
AI: Fully automatable - When records are digitized and indexed, LLMs + retrieval systems can accurately answer questions about files and records automatically.
Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerized reports.
AI: Fully automatable - Logging, database updates and automated report generation are routine with RPA and records-management software.
Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
AI: Fully automatable - Document ingestion pipelines (OCR, classification, metadata extraction) can create and add new records automatically for digitized materials.
Track materials removed from files to ensure that borrowed files are returned.
AI: Fully automatable - Check-in/check-out systems with barcodes, RFID and automated alerts can reliably track removed materials and prompt returns.
Operate mechanized files that rotate to bring needed records to a particular location.
AI: Fully automatable - Operating mechanized rotating file systems is deterministic and can be fully automated via software/PLC control or simple robotics integrations.
Assign and record or stamp identification numbers or codes to index materials for filing.
AI: Fully automatable - Assigning and recording identification numbers or codes is rule-based and can be fully automated using barcode/QR generation, OCR, and indexing software.
Design forms related to filing systems.
AI: Fully automatable - AI and template/design tools can generate form layouts, field definitions, validation rules, and adapt them to filing requirements without needing manual-only steps.
Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
AI: Partial - While tasks like typing and automated phone responses can be automated, physical activities (mail handling, securing confidential physical materials) and nuanced interactions still require humans.
Complete general financial activities, such as processing accounts payable, reviewing invoices, collecting cash payments, or issuing receipts.
AI: Partial - RPA and accounting systems can automate invoice processing, receipts, and many payable workflows, but cash handling, exception resolution, and complex reviews still require human oversight.
Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
AI: Partial - Digital collection (notifications, uploads) can be automated but physically gathering paper materials from departments remains largely manual.
Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorized users.
AI: Partial - Digital retrieval, copying and secure delivery can be fully automated, but many organizations still rely on manual physical file retrieval, limiting full automation.
Place materials into storage receptacles, such as file cabinets, boxes, bins, or drawers, according to classification and identification information.
AI: Partial - Classification and labeling can be automated, but the physical placement of items into cabinets or boxes generally requires human or specialized robotic handling.
Eliminate outdated or unnecessary materials, destroying them or transferring them to inactive storage, according to file maintenance guidelines or legal requirements.
AI: Partial - Retention rules and automated purging work well for digital records, but physical destruction or transfers and legal nuances typically need human oversight.
Perform periodic inspections of materials or files to ensure correct placement, legibility, or proper condition.
AI: Partial - Automated checks (vision/OCR, inventory scans) can assess digitized content and some physical attributes, but comprehensive physical inspections remain partly manual.
Modify or improve filing systems or implement new filing systems.
AI: Partial - AI can propose and implement technical improvements to digital filing systems, but strategic design, stakeholder coordination and physical-system reorganization require human leadership.
Retrieve documents stored in microfilm or microfiche and place them in viewers for reading.
AI: Partial - Physical retrieval and placement of microfilm/microfiche into viewers typically requires manual handling or specialized robotics, though digitization and software can automate much of the retrieval workflow.