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, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.
U.S. Workers
2,510,550
Median Salary
$43,630
10-Year Growth
-6.7%
Annual Openings
282,400
Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
21 of 21 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.
Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
AI: Fully automatable - Office machines and PC tasks can be fully automated or remotely operated by software/RPA and do not require human operators for routine functions.
Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
AI: Fully automatable - IVR, virtual receptionists, and conversational AI can answer calls, route them, and take messages autonomously in most use cases.
Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can generate, populate, and electronically send bills, contracts, invoices, and policies and can orchestrate physical mailing workflows, making this task broadly automatable.
Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
AI: Fully automatable - Document compilation, copying, sorting, and digital filing are routinely performed end-to-end by scanners, OCR, and RPA in modern offices.
Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can extract and retrieve information from files and records automatically for typical requests, though highly ambiguous or sensitive reviews may need humans.
Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports.
AI: Fully automatable - Form filling and expense report processing are well-handled by OCR, RPA, and AI workflows, enabling end-to-end automation for typical documents.
Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can accurately perform calculations, recordkeeping, and automated proofreading for routine records and reports, making this task fully automatable in most contexts.
Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated schedulers and calendar assistants can coordinate availability, book appointments, and manage schedules end-to-end in most workplace settings.
Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can prepare agendas, join virtual meetings to transcribe and summarize discussions, and produce minutes automatically, though interpreting nonverbal cues remains limited.
Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
AI: Fully automatable - Speech-to-text, formatting tools, and grammar models can transcribe, format, and edit correspondence from notes or dictation with high reliability.
Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
AI: Fully automatable - Inventory management systems with AI forecasting and procurement integrations can monitor stock levels and place orders automatically for most routine supplies.
Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
AI: Fully automatable - By 2025 AI systems integrated with booking APIs and corporate travel platforms can search, compare, book, and manage itineraries end‑to‑end with minimal human intervention.
Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
AI: Partial - AI can handle many routine inquiries and orders but struggles with complex complaints, emotional nuance, and escalations, so human agents remain necessary.
Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
AI: Partial - Basic bookkeeping and banking transactions are largely automatable, but cash collection/counting and certain authorized disbursements still require human oversight, so only partial automation is realistic.
Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
AI: Partial - Routine updates to digital filing, inventory, mailing, and databases can be automated, but maintenance, exception handling, and manual records still require human oversight.
Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
AI: Partial - Mail opening and basic sorting can be automated, but mixed mail types, physical handling, and complex routing still often require human judgment and intervention.
Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks.
AI: Partial - Monitoring and directing staff involves managerial judgment, conflict resolution, and nuanced human oversight that current AI can assist with but not fully replace.
Deliver messages and run errands.
AI: Partial - While AI can coordinate deliveries and request services, physically running errands and in-person deliveries remain beyond widespread AI automation as of 2025.
Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
AI: Partial - AI can generate training materials, run tutorials, and provide personalized instruction, but cannot fully replicate in‑person mentorship, hands‑on demonstrations, and workplace social dynamics.
Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
AI: Partial - AI can count and organize digital items and assist counting via computer vision, but cannot independently weigh or physically manipulate materials without robotic hardware and human oversight.
Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose and remediate many software issues remotely and provide step‑by‑step guidance, but hardware troubleshooting and physical repairs still require human technicians.