These clerks must use the standard office equipment, such as computers, fax machines and copiers, but more of their work involves interacting with other people. They often need good people skills to work with others. Usually they work behind a desk in an office and do a lot of careful, detailed work to keep accurate records. As many of these positions are entry level, workers who want higher salaries must move on to related, more senior positions, such as executive assistant or court officer. This is a very large occupational group, with 14,920 employees in 1998, but it has seen a decrease of about 3,600 workers since 1990.
Administrative clerks are the largest sub-group.
The work is primarily full time, with little opportunity for self-employment. The unemployment rate is lower than the average for all occupations. Since these workers work in a variety of offices in all industries, there is little seasonal variation in their employment. These workers are employed widely in both the public and private sectors with no dominating industry. This work is mainly urban because that is where the larger companies and government agencies have their main offices.