What does a document clerk do?
Document clerks are employees who are responsible for tracking and controlling technical documents according to the business standards of an organization. These clerks are required to scan and photocopy business-related documents such as client files, correspondence, and company records. They must work with database systems to maintain digital files while removing and destroying outdated or obsolete files. Document clerks must also verify information in company documents to ensure that the information of clients is correct and resent in all documents.
Document clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real document clerk resumes:
- Maintain and manage database with clinical details and digital radiology imaging.
- Prepare, index and QA various paper documents for scanning to electronic format.
- Upload and send x-ray images for doctors to view and compare for radiology reports while maintaining schedule and patients charts.
- Scan and convert documents to PDF.
- Add fedex charges to orders ship fedex.
- Scan documentation and index into EMR system.
- Remove staples, paper clips, and fasteners.
- Scan confidential documents with Kodak I4000 series scanners.
- Prepare documents for scanning by removing paper clips, staples and fasteners.
- Read and interpret freight bills and enter alpha-numeric information via an OCR program.
- Assist in FDA and NSAI audits during contract assignment, meeting and exceeding measures.
- Maintain and service all existing and future drawings, converting to pdf or dwg.
- Comply with company's policies and procedures, as well as Medicare and HIPAA requirements.
- Experience with the use and maintenance of the Kodak 3510 , 3510 and i660 scanners.
- Prep documents for scanning, scan documents into a database and QC documents within the database.
Document clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Document Clerks are proficient in Office Equipment, Word Processing, and GMP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Integrity, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Document Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Office Equipment, 25%
Operated photocopier, facsimile or other office equipment.
- Word Processing, 11%
Audit Department: Performed routine key data entry operations using word processing software and internal programs.
- GMP, 11%
Organized GMP documentation related to manufacturing activities as part of the retention program.
- Data Entry Operations, 8%
Performed calculations, recording, and analysis on all crop insurance documents before submitting to data entry operations.
- Computer System, 7%
Scanned mortgage document information into computer system on a daily basis.
- Paralegals, 4%
Assisted paralegals with organizing exhibits and legal documents and meeting document production deadlines.
Common skills that a document clerk uses to do their job include "office equipment," "word processing," and "gmp." You can find details on the most important document clerk responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a document clerk to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to customers and the public." Document clerks often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "facilitated open and clear communication between attorneys, paralegals and word processing staff. "
Integrity. Another essential skill to perform document clerk duties is integrity. Document clerks responsibilities require that "information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information." Document clerks also use integrity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "scanned declarations into the computer entered trust funds into the computer computerized paper legal documentation using scanner and data entry"
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of document clerks is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday document clerk duties, as "information clerks who work with the public and customers must understand and communicate information effectively to establish positive relationships." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "utilized interpersonal communication skills to assist customers and resolve customer complaints. "
Organizational skills. A big part of what document clerks do relies on "organizational skills." You can see how essential it is to document clerk responsibilities because "information clerks must be able to retrieve files and other important information quickly and efficiently." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical document clerk tasks: "reviewed documents related to residential and commercial real estate transactions, overhauled filing system, and improved organizational processes"
The three companies that hire the most document clerks are:
- Randstad North America, Inc.6 document clerks jobs
- BancFirst4 document clerks jobs
- Jabil2 document clerks jobs
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Compare different document clerks
Document clerk vs. Data entry associate
Data entry associates are a group of professionals using computers and data processing programs to supply information into a database or documentation platform or to transcribe data via phone conversations or recordings. They can multitask effectively with excellent verbal and written communication skills and perform repetitive tasks accurately with excellent attention to detail. Part of their task is to maintain the database by encoding new and updated customer account information by preparing source data for computer entry, compiling, and sorting information. To be effective, typing speed and accuracy must be considered.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between document clerks and data entry associate. For instance, document clerk responsibilities require skills such as "strong time management," "gmp," "data entry operations," and "paralegals." Whereas a data entry associate is skilled in "customer service," "computer database," "data entry," and "payroll." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Data entry associates really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $52,978. Comparatively, document clerks tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $33,366.data entry associates tend to reach similar levels of education than document clerks. In fact, data entry associates are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Document clerk vs. Data entry assistant
A data entry assistant is responsible for performing data entry procedures, updating customer information, as well as logging business transactions on the company's database accurately and efficiently. Data entry assistants compile and sort documents, escalating incomplete information for verification, and following the business' procedures on disposing and eliminating unnecessary data. They also provide administrative and clerical support on office operations, including assisting visitors on their needs or directing them to the appropriate personnel for their concerns. A data entry assistant maintains a safe and secured database and immediately call for support in case of unauthorized access and system inconsistencies.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that document clerk responsibilities requires skills like "strong time management," "gmp," "data entry operations," and "paralegals." But a data entry assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "company database," "re-enter data," "hr," and "payroll."
Data entry assistants may earn a higher salary than document clerks, but data entry assistants earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,180. On the other hand, document clerks receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,366.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Data entry assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than document clerks. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Document clerk vs. Data entry operator
A data entry operator is someone responsible for entering collected information into a database using different computer software. Data entry duties include updating customer data, transcribing information, and entering accounting records. Also, it is their responsibility to organize collected data and maintain their accurate record on the database so it can be accessed at any time. Data operators must be proficient in typing skills, keen to details and able to manage a large amount of data. They must also be familiar with using spreadsheets, along with other word processing programs.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from document clerk resumes include skills like "strong time management," "gmp," "data entry operations," and "paralegals," whereas a data entry operator is more likely to list skills in "data entry equipment," "customer service," "computer database," and "wpm. "
Data entry operators earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,543. Comparatively, document clerks have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $33,366.Most data entry operators achieve a similar degree level compared to document clerks. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Document clerk vs. Clerk typist
A clerk typist is responsible for data entry procedures and document transcriptions, alongside other clerical and administrative duties as required by the employer. Clerk typists create reports and presentation materials, transcribe audio meetings, write business drafts, and send documents to appropriate office personnel or clients. A clerk-typist must show excellent organizational and time-management skills, especially with handling various typing tasks under strict deadlines and minimal supervision. They also respond and take calls from clients and customers, assisting with their inquiries and concerns.
Types of document clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
