What does a support clerk do?
A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.
Support clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real support clerk resumes:
- Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
- Inform eligible or potentially eligible individuals with Medicaid cover service and how to use them.
- Assist in development and creation of provider workshop materials to include manuals, PowerPoint presentations, and registration materials.
- Organize and locate inventory and update companies QuickBooks.
- Prepare subpoenas for document production, deposition and trial appearance/testimony.
- Record results in database from medical questionnaires complete by individuals presenting Medicaid claims.
- Maintain cleanliness of the company warehouse, operate warehouse machinery and organize the warehouse to ensure proper product placement.
- Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes using computers or typewriters.
- Answer phones with the ability to provide accurate information and education on the communicability and disease process of tuberculosis.
Support clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Support Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Support Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 19%
Provided excellent customer service, transcribing information onto an ExCel spreadsheet and providing co-payment summaries under pressure during busy tax season.
- Data Entry, 15%
Conducted training and orientation of cases for new data entry operators with and emphasizes proper procedures for maintaining accuracy.
- Patients, 10%
Performed basic business office duties and handled highly confidential documents regarding doctor s prognosis and medical history of patients.
- Clerical Support, 6%
Provided legal clerical support preparing, reviewing and processing legal documents and calendared in support of court operations.
- Medical Terminology, 6%
Research of medical terminology and product information for case prep and communications.
- Office Equipment, 5%
Performed routine maintenance on office equipment.
Common skills that a support clerk uses to do their job include "customer service," "data entry," and "patients." You can find details on the most important support clerk responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a support clerk to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "general office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public." Support clerks often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed data entry, typing, filing, time keeping, scheduling and customer support for all vendors. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling support clerk duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "general office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills." According to a support clerk resume, here's how support clerks can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "demonstrated high attention to detail in data entry * assisted mail room in shipping and receiving education promissory notes"
Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of support clerks is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday support clerk duties, as "general office clerks file and retrieve records." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "have strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, problem solving, and customer service skills. "
The three companies that hire the most support clerks are:
- Gwinnett County Board of Education7 support clerks jobs
- Alston & Bird
6 support clerks jobs
- Capital Health4 support clerks jobs
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Compare different support clerks
Support clerk vs. Receptionist/administrator support
An administrative support specialist is an individual who is involved in the office management, clerical tasks, and back-office duties of an organization. To run the office smoothly, administrative support specialists must manage the purchasing and inventory of office supplies as well as schedule the maintenance of office equipment. They serve as a liaison for executives by screening incoming calls and emails, sorting mails, and setting appointments with employees, customers, and vendors. Administrative support specialists must also be able to draft memos and edit report proposals and other business documents.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a support clerk are more likely to require skills like "patients," "medical terminology," "patient care," and "inventory control." On the other hand, a job as a receptionist/administrator support requires skills like "phone calls," "telephone switchboard," "payroll," and "direct calls." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Receptionist/administrator supports tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,049. In contrast, support clerks make the biggest average salary, $35,567, in the government industry.On average, receptionist/administrator supports reach similar levels of education than support clerks. Receptionist/administrator supports are 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Support clerk vs. Administrative support specialist
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real support clerk resumes. While support clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "medical terminology," "inventory control," "financial transactions," and "credit card," administrative support specialists use skills like "administrative functions," "office procedures," "strong customer service," and "provides administrative support."
On average, administrative support specialists earn a higher salary than support clerks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, administrative support specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $42,241. Whereas support clerks have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $35,567.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Administrative support specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than support clerks. In fact, they're 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Support clerk vs. Clerk typist
Administrative support specialists provide different types of governmental assistance. They carry out varied clerical duties in almost all industries. Most of these duties revolve around supervising and distributing information within an organization. This typically includes taking memos, answering phone calls, and managing, storing, and organizing files. They are also responsible for receiving and sending correspondence and greeting customers and clients. Some administrative support may be required to have vast professional knowledge as their duties are more specialized than the others.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a support clerk is likely to be skilled in "patients," "medical terminology," "patient care," and "inventory control," while a typical clerk typist is skilled in "payroll," "input data," "office procedures," and "purchase orders."
Clerks typist make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $32,312. On the other hand, support clerks are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $35,567.clerks typist typically earn similar educational levels compared to support clerks. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Support clerk vs. Administrative support
Types of support clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
