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The role of a Clerical Specialist is vital in various industries, and understanding their salary can help job seekers make informed decisions. As of October 2025, the average salary for a Clerical Specialist across the United States is $30,736 annually, or approximately $15 per hour. Salaries for Clerical Specialists can differ based on several factors, including experience, location, and the specific industry in which one works.
Experience level plays a crucial role in salary variation. Entry-level positions typically start around $14.78 per hour, while those with more experience can expect significantly higher rates. Additionally, geographic location can impact compensation; states with a higher cost of living often offer better pay. For instance, areas like California and New York tend to have some of the highest salaries for Clerical Specialists.
For those looking to increase their earnings, pursuing specialized roles or additional certifications can lead to higher-paying positions. Understanding the job market and the demand for clerical skills can also provide insights into potential salary increases.
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The average clerical specialist salary in California, Hawaii, and Nevada are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average clerical specialist salary states are Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $34,757 | $16.71 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $34,678 | $16.67 |
| 3 | Alaska | $33,572 | $16.14 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $36,137 | $17.37 |
| 5 | Arizona | $31,729 | $15.25 |
| 6 | Maine | $30,301 | $14.57 |
| 7 | New York | $32,906 | $15.82 |
| 8 | Michigan | $29,757 | $14.31 |
| 9 | Washington | $33,072 | $15.90 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $32,796 | $15.77 |
| 11 | Oregon | $33,019 | $15.87 |
| 12 | California | $36,617 | $17.60 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $30,791 | $14.80 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $29,738 | $14.30 |
| 15 | Iowa | $27,498 | $13.22 |
| 16 | Montana | $28,495 | $13.70 |
| 17 | Colorado | $33,072 | $15.90 |
| 18 | Ohio | $28,796 | $13.84 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $27,366 | $13.16 |
| 21 | Vermont | $31,889 | $15.33 |
| 22 | Illinois | $28,997 | $13.94 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $34,645 | $16.66 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $28,666 | $13.78 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $29,521 | $14.19 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $28,194 | $13.55 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $27,398 | $13.17 |
| 28 | Idaho | $27,285 | $13.12 |
| 29 | Delaware | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $27,193 | $13.07 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $26,340 | $12.66 |
| 32 | Maryland | $28,515 | $13.71 |
| 33 | Texas | $26,947 | $12.96 |
| 34 | Missouri | $26,562 | $12.77 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $25,663 | $12.34 |
| 36 | Indiana | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| 37 | Florida | $25,035 | $12.04 |
| 38 | Utah | $26,660 | $12.82 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $25,988 | $12.49 |
| 40 | Georgia | $26,067 | $12.53 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $23,868 | $11.47 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $25,053 | $12.04 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $25,331 | $12.18 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $23,076 | $11.09 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $23,817 | $11.45 |
| 46 | Virginia | $24,851 | $11.95 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $23,869 | $11.48 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,002 | $11.06 |
| 49 | Kansas | $22,088 | $10.62 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $22,224 | $10.68 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,057 | $11.09 |
The highest-paying cities for clerical specialists are San Jose, CA, Kahului, HI, and Braintree Town, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $36,844 | $17.71 |
| 2 | Kahului, HI | $35,989 | $17.30 |
| 3 | Braintree Town, MA | $34,652 | $16.66 |
| 4 | Syracuse, NY | $33,358 | $16.04 |
| 5 | Albany, OR | $33,121 | $15.92 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $33,008 | $15.87 |
| 7 | Pawtucket, RI | $32,823 | $15.78 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $29,786 | $14.32 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,723 | $14.29 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $29,285 | $14.08 |
| 11 | Palatine, IL | $29,137 | $14.01 |
| 12 | Reading, PA | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff, AR | $27,297 | $13.12 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $27,176 | $13.07 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $27,170 | $13.06 |
| 16 | Chattanooga, TN | $25,507 | $12.26 |
| 17 | Tallahassee, FL | $25,486 | $12.25 |
A clerical specialist's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $30,736 | $2,561 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of clerical specialists are specialist, processing specialist, and department specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clerical Aide | $29,426 | $2,452 | $14.15 | 59,698 |
Top companies hiring clerical specialists now:
Clerical specialist salaries at Wayne County, Michigan and City of Pittsburgh are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average clerical specialist salary at companies like Pactiv and Erlanger Health System are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne County, Michigan | $44,722 | $21.50 |
| 2 | City of Pittsburgh | $36,549 | $17.57 |
| 3 | Pactiv | $36,062 | $17.34 |
| 4 | Erlanger Health System | $32,466 | $15.61 |
| 5 | LifePoint Health | $31,851 | $15.31 |
| 6 | City of Hope | $31,836 | $15.31 |
| 7 | Milwaukee County | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| 8 | University of Maryland Medical System | $31,568 | $15.18 |
| 9 | Parker Hannifin | $31,392 | $15.09 |
| 10 | Integrity Staffing | $31,338 | $15.07 |
| 11 | HCA Health Services of Virginia Inc | $31,207 | $15.00 |
| 12 | Kelly Services | $31,124 | $14.96 |
| 13 | Providence Health & Services | $31,095 | $14.95 |
| 14 | THE RIGHT STAFF | $30,991 | $14.90 |
| 15 | City of Hope Development Center | $30,841 | $14.83 |
| 16 | Area Temps | $30,731 | $14.77 |
| 17 | Staffmark | $30,719 | $14.77 |
| 18 | Adecco | $30,664 | $14.74 |
| 19 | Salem-Keizer Public Schools | $30,656 | $14.74 |
| 20 | Aledade | $30,346 | $14.59 |
The average clerical specialist salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $33,106 | $15.92 |
| 2 | Finance | $31,743 | $15.26 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $31,147 | $14.97 |
| 4 | Health Care | $30,577 | $14.70 |
| 5 | Education | $30,010 | $14.43 |
The average clerical specialist salary has risen by $7,082 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average clerical specialist earned $23,654 annually, but today, they earn $30,736 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for clerical specialists over the last decade.
Compare clerical specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare clerical specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $30,700 | $14.78 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $29,600 | $14.24 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $28,500 | $13.69 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $27,400 | $13.17 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $26,600 | $12.79 | +3.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem-Keizer School District | Senior Clerical Specialist-Student Services | Salem, OR | 06/28/2025 | $40,050 |
| Oregon Public Schools | Senior Clerical Specialist-Student Services | Salem, OR | 06/28/2025 | $40,050 |
| Willamette ESD | Senior Clerical Specialist-Bilingual | Salem, OR | 06/28/2025 | $39,256 |
| County of Lancaster | Clerical Specialist | Lancaster, PA | 06/20/2025 | $35,139 |
| Summit County (Oh | Clerical Specialist | Akron, OH | 06/18/2025 | $38,610 |
| Greater Albany Public School District 8J | Clerical Specialist II | Albany, OR | 06/13/2025 | $39,006 |
| Suny Cortland | Program Clerical Specialist | Cortland, NY | 06/11/2025 | $38,000 |
| Weltman, Weinberg & Reis | Clerical Specialist | Cincinnati, OH | 06/07/2025 | $34,728 |
| State of Florida | State Attorney's Office, 4Th Circuit-Clerical Specialist I | Jacksonville, FL | 06/07/2025 | $32,136 |
| Carroll County Public Schools | Clerical II- | Westminster, MD | 05/24/2025 | $31,702 |
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