File Clerk Salary in 2026
How Much Do File Clerks Make?
File Clerks earn a median annual salary of $41,270 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,620 at the 10th percentile to $61,080 at the 90th percentile — a range of $31,460. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $57,560.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,620 |
| 25th percentile | $35,120 |
| Median (50th) | $41,270 |
| 75th percentile | $50,020 |
| 90th percentile | $61,080 |
File Clerk Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $57,560 |
| Oregon | $49,340 |
| Rhode Island | $48,440 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| California | $46,920 |
| Massachusetts | $46,570 |
| Illinois | $46,320 |
| Hawaii | $46,250 |
| Minnesota | $45,310 |
| Iowa | $44,930 |
| Wisconsin | $44,650 |
| Maryland | $44,610 |
| New Jersey | $44,530 |
| Virginia | $44,290 |
| Alaska | $44,030 |
| North Carolina | $43,450 |
| New York | $43,060 |
| New Hampshire | $42,650 |
| Michigan | $42,640 |
| Ohio | $42,620 |
| Connecticut | $42,090 |
| Tennessee | $41,970 |
| North Dakota | $41,900 |
| Colorado | $41,520 |
| Arizona | $41,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,230 |
| Maine | $40,550 |
| Idaho | $40,340 |
| Vermont | $39,890 |
| Florida | $39,350 |
| Kansas | $39,070 |
| Oklahoma | $38,880 |
| South Carolina | $38,860 |
| Indiana | $38,790 |
| Nebraska | $38,700 |
| Utah | $38,670 |
| Nevada | $37,740 |
| Georgia | $37,520 |
| Texas | $37,400 |
| Delaware | $37,270 |
| Missouri | $37,230 |
| Arkansas | $36,870 |
| New Mexico | $36,860 |
| South Dakota | $36,360 |
| Montana | $36,160 |
| Alabama | $36,030 |
| West Virginia | $35,110 |
| Wyoming | $34,770 |
| Kentucky | $33,530 |
| Louisiana | $30,030 |
Highest-Paying Metros for File Clerks
File Clerk Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,620 – $35,120 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$41,270 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$50,020 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $61,080+ |
How to Earn More as a File Clerk
Location is the single biggest salary lever: File Clerks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $59,480 — $18,210 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($50,020) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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File Clerk Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| File Clerkthis career | $41,270 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Document Management Specialist | $108,970 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searcher | $54,980 |
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SOC: 43-4071.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.