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Job outlook for document specialists in the United States
Document specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected document specialist job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 56,000 new jobs for document specialists are projected over the next decade.
Document specialist salaries have increased 10% for document specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,679 document specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 23,728 active document specialist job openings in the US.
The average document specialist salary is $39,044.
Are document specialist jobs in demand?
Document specialist job and salary trends over time
Document specialist jobs over time
Document specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,679 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 14,454 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,035 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,685 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,849 | 0.00% |
Average document specialist salary over time
Document specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $39,044 | $18.77 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $37,757 | $18.15 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $36,902 | $17.74 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $36,183 | $17.40 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $35,365 | $17.00 | +1.5% |
Document specialist jobs by state
Most common states for document specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 111 | 16% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 261 | 8% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 102 | 8% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 75 | 8% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 47 | 8% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 46 | 8% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 481 | 7% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 133 | 7% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 56 | 7% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 54 | 7% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 471 | 6% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 352 | 6% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 324 | 6% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 62 | 6% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 56 | 6% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 599 | 5% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 544 | 5% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 341 | 5% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 72 | 5% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 54 | 5% |
Most common cities for document specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinton | 2 | 8% | $33,695 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights | 2 | 3% | $38,741 |
| 3 | Livonia | 2 | 2% | $40,798 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $35,742 |
| 5 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $32,308 |
| 6 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $38,075 |
| 7 | Houston | 4 | 0% | $39,057 |
| 8 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $44,031 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 3 | 0% | $40,229 |
| 10 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $52,076 |
| 11 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $52,051 |
| 12 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $40,846 |
| 13 | Las Vegas | 2 | 0% | $45,430 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $53,283 |
| 15 | Minneapolis | 2 | 0% | $33,745 |
Document Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of document specialist experts
Rowan University
The Ohio State University at Lima
North Carolina Central University
Western Illinois University
American Public University System
Forsyth County, Georgia
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorRowan University
Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural education
How would you rate the starting salaries for Document Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.: Educators are not paid nearly enough. However, working in a state with strong teachers' unions helps to ensure a starting salary that recent graduates can live off of and growth opportunities, albeit modest, over their careers.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Document Specialists to find work opportunities?
Leah Herner-Patnode: Usually, urban areas of bigger cities and southern states, such as North Carolina, have many openings. Maine, Florida, California, Hawaii, Washington, and Texas are the most open positions.
Elisha Blankson
Program Director NCCU, Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina Central University
Communication Disorders Department
What type of skills will young Document Specialists need?
Elisha Blankson: Graduates will need a skill set about the field in which they received training and additional skills useful to the job market. For example, with the changing demographics in the United States, extra skills in information technology and foreign languages will be a plus when entering the job market.
Dr. Richard Filipink Ph.D.
ProfessorWestern Illinois University
History Department
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Document Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Richard Filipink Ph.D.: Much of this depends on budgets and response to the pandemic. If budgets tighten to pay off the debts caused by how the epidemic was handled in 2020, then a decrease in demand. If things improve in 2021-22, then there should be an increase in demand.
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorAmerican Public University System
Public Administration Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Document Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.: Some areas are hiring public servants around the United States; however, many places are cutting back, since so many sites had experienced budget cuts, even before COVID-19 lockdowns caused further revenue reductions. If you can't find a full-time job right away, try taking a part-time job, an internship, or a position with a non-profit as a way to continue learning and to give yourself a chance to show the quality of your work.
How do you envision technology impacting Document Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.: COVID-19 has increased the number of people who are working at home. This means a solid basic knowledge of telecommuting, and the ability to work unsupervised will be necessary. The ability to use remote security protocols, the cloud, and various software platforms will be required.
What type of skills will young Document Specialists need?
Donna Kukarola: Without a doubt, the need for computer literacy will continue to expand, the ability to work with people, communication skills, being a team member/collaborative. So, in other words, many of the "soft" skills will need the skills they trained for their industry/vocation.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Document Specialists to find work opportunities?
Donna Kukarola: This one, not so sure of, the southeast continues to see options as well as mid-western states.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Document Specialists?
Donna Kukarola: The procurement field is an opportunity; each day will have its own set of challenges and opportunities. Obtaining the right item/service at the right time, at the right price, is not all that procurement does. They are strategic members, sourcing, timing, keeping up with trends, laws, best practices, and advising that the resource desired is already available!
This year, entering the workforce will be different for many interviews to be held electronically - even, perhaps, teleworking when they get the job. Training is a bit more of a challenge then, and it can be hard to get a real feel of the "attitude." Keeping an open mind and being flexible is a must; during this pandemic, we have all had to learn how to do our jobs differently and navigate our careers.