How to hire a lead clerk

How to hire a lead clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lead clerk, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a lead clerk to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a lead clerk that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of lead clerk salaries for various roles:

   Type of Lead Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Clerk	General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.	$13-20
   Customer Service Clerk	A customer service clerk is responsible for resolving client issues, giving requested information, and providing clients high-quality customer service. Customer service clerks' tasks include sharing information, responding to and recording requests, collecting payments, and resolving billing disputes... Show more	$12-20
   Office Services Clerk	An office services clerk is a professional employee who performs a multitude of administrative tasks as well as office maintenance duties of an organization. Office services clerks are required to maintain an inventory of office supplies as well as purchase and distribute office supplies to all employees when needed... Show more	$11-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Cleanliness
   • Math
   • Customer Complaints
   • Customer Service
   • Store Operations
   • Pallet Jack
   • Safety Procedures
   • Data Entry
   • Payroll
   • Cash Control
   • BOL
   • Front End
   • Bank Deposits

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage schedule and payroll by using specific management software.
   • Manage orthopedic accounts regarding payment posting through IDX medical systems.
   • Promote excellent customer service, cleanliness and customer satisfaction.
   • Train and develop associates on POS system.
   • Maintain a thorough knowledge of POS and database management software.
   • Support retail and payroll departments as needed by filling in during absences or when workload is high.

   More lead clerk duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A lead clerk salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, lead clerks' average salary in new mexico is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead clerks earn 35% less than senior-level lead clerks.
   • Certifications. A lead clerk with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a lead clerk's salary.

   Average lead clerk salary

   $35,109yearly

   $16.88 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead clerk salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average lead clerk salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$41,445	$20
   2	Colorado	$38,177	$18
   3	Washington	$38,050	$18
   4	Oregon	$37,889	$18
   5	Arizona	$35,552	$17
   6	Alaska	$34,938	$17
   7	Connecticut	$33,446	$16
   8	Montana	$32,691	$16
   9	Missouri	$31,557	$15
   10	Delaware	$31,167	$15
   11	Utah	$30,527	$15
   12	North Carolina	$29,920	$14
   13	Texas	$29,689	$14
   14	Indiana	$29,331	$14
   15	Virginia	$28,471	$14
   16	New Mexico	$24,878	$12

   Average lead clerk salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Harrington Raceway & Casino	$41,844	$20.12
   2	U.S. Census Bureau	$40,942	$19.68
   3	Eaton	$39,578	$19.03	4
   4	Internal Revenue Service	$38,354	$18.44
   5	Minnesota Limited	$38,218	$18.37
   6	Riverwood Healthcare Center	$38,001	$18.27
   7	Albertsons	$37,546	$18.05	266
   8	Freight Handlers Incorporated	$37,257	$17.91
   9	Bashas'	$37,172	$17.87	42
   10	Kroger	$36,757	$17.67	3,736
   11	Harris Teeter	$35,990	$17.30	346
   12	Jackson County	$35,776	$17.20
   13	Compass Group USA	$35,364	$17.00	75
   14	Winco Holdings, Inc.	$35,142	$16.90	55
   15	Norman Regional Health System	$35,044	$16.85	7
   16	Las Vegas Sands	$34,959	$16.81
   17	New Leaf Community Markets	$34,922	$16.79
   18	Coborn's	$32,684	$15.71	95
   19	Baptist Child & Family Service	$30,071	$14.46

4. Writing a lead clerk job description

   A lead clerk job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead clerk job description:

   Lead clerk job description example

   We are now looking for a Deli Lead for our store team!
   
   Duties and Responsibilities
   
   * Provide visible leadership to employees while generating a store atmosphere focused on great hospitality where the expectations of the customers are exceeded
   * Embody a professional demeanor and a high level of character, honesty and integrity in conducting the business affairs of the store; Inspire all team members to do the same
   * Lead the team in achieving shift targets according to company standards including safety, food quality, sanitation, cleanliness, and customer service
   * Perform administrative duties in the areas of cost control, cash handling, and the completion of required reports for your shift
   * Assume the duties of any hourly associate position as necessary
   * Adhere to safety standards; comply with standards of operation
   
   Qualifications
   
   * A leader who sets the example when working alongside team members
   * The ability to motivate, train and develop people to unleash the talent within each employee
   * High School Diploma (or GED), Associate or Bachelor Degree preferred
   * One year supervisory experience in convenience store, travel center, or other related activity
   * Exhibit good verbal and written communication skills (i.e. give clean instruction to hourly staff to accomplish assigned task; motivate and train them to unleash their talent)
   * Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and some holidays
   * Proficient in Microsoft Word and email; operational understanding of POS software
   * Meet the requirements for the needed physical tasks with or without accommodation
   
   Our travel centers serve thousands every day; not one traveler is the same and our team must reflect that. We can "return every traveler to the road better than they came" only by understanding and celebrating individualism. TravelCenters of America is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, handicap, military service or Veteran status, genetic information or membership in any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law. At TravelCenters of America, we invite everyone to make themselves at home.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lead clerks for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit lead clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead clerks, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead clerk

   Once you've decided on a perfect lead clerk candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead clerk. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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