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General Clerk I Salary in the United States

How much does a General Clerk I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Clerk I in the United States is $38,134 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a General Clerk I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $43,243
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,522 to $40,808
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,233
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Clerk I Salaries

A General Clerk I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Clerk I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Clerk I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • General Clerk I (0-1 years): $38,134
  • General Clerk II (1-3 years): $43,196
  • General Clerk III (3-5 years): $46,858
  • Clerical Supervisor (5+ years): $66,136
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
General Clerk I0-1 years$38,134
General Clerk II1-3 years$43,196
General Clerk III3-5 years$46,858
Clerical Supervisor5+ years$66,136
View as Graph

How Do General Clerk I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract General Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,222.
  • California: $42,062.
  • Massachusetts: $41,501.

Top Paying Cities for General Clerk Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,098
  • San Francisco: $47,572
  • Oakland: $46,569

What Skills Can Increase a General Clerk I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.12% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Office Management (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): Office management is a profession involving the design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of the process of work within an office or other organization, in order to sustain and improve efficiency and productivity.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.12%
Accounting 2.43%
Office Management 1.53%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Clerk I's salary.

  • Brand Awareness: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Brand Awareness $51,862
36%
Patient Care $48,049
26%
Analysis $44,617
17%
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General Clerk I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $42,573. While startup companies pay approximate $36,048.

General Clerk I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $36,048
Growth Stage 51~500 $38,116
Established 501~5000 $41,107
Enterprise 5000+ $42,573

General Clerk I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, General Clerk positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Clerk I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$45,761$22.020%
Energy & Utilities$42,710$21.012%
Software & Networking$42,710$21.012%
Internet$41,947$20.010%
Pharmaceuticals$41,947$20.010%

How Education impacts a General Clerk I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Clerk I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an General Clerk I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $36,505 and $38,584.

General Clerk I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Clerk I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.3%
High School 47.2%
Associates 13.4%
Bachelors 29.9%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

General Clerk I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Clerk I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$34,522
Average $38,134/year
$40,808
$2,877
Average $3,178/month
$3,401
$664
Average $733/week
$785
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,808 $3,401 $785 $20
Average $38,134 $3,178 $733 $18
25th Percentile $34,522 $2,877 $664 $17

General Clerk I Salary Growth & Career Path

General Clerk I

Next Role

Advancement

For a General Clerk I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the General Clerk II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $43,196 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for General Clerk I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Clerk I

Here are companies hiring for General Clerk I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Clerk I

1. Where can a General Clerk I earn the most?

A General Clerk I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a General Clerk I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a General Clerk I is $48,098.

2. What is the highest pay for General Clerk I?

The highest pay for General Clerk I is $43,243.

3. What is the lowest pay for General Clerk I?

The lowest pay for General Clerk I is $31,233.

4. What are the responsibilities of General Clerk I?

Performs various routine and defined clerical tasks in an office environment. Prepares, files and maintains physical or electronic records and documents in required formats. Compiles and verifies information using simple calculations and standard procedures. Inputs data into a tracking database or system. Retrieves documents or responds to requests for information from internal or external customers by phone or e-mail. May assist with general office tasks such as copying, mailing, and ordering supplies. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for General Clerk I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for General Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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