Occupational Employment Statistics

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Occupational Definitions -

Clerical and Administrative Support Occupations

First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors

51002 - First-Line Supervisors and Managers/Supervisors - Clerical and Administrative Support Occupations

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of clerical and administrative support workers. Managers/Supervisors are generally found in smaller establishments where they perform both supervisory and management functions, such as accounting, marketing, and personnel work, and may also engage in the same clerical work as the workers they supervise.

Industry Specific Clerical and Administrative Support Occupations

Banking, Security, Finance, and Credit Occupations

53102 - Tellers

Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institutions' various transactions.

53105 - New Accounts Clerks

Interview persons desiring to open bank accounts. Explain banking services available to prospective customers and assist them in preparing application form.

53108 - Transit Clerks

Sort, record, prove, and prepare transit items for mailing to or from out-of-city banks to insure correct routing and prompt collection.

53111 - Loan Interviewers

Interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants' background and verify references; prepare loan request papers; forward findings, reports, and documents to appraisal department.

53114 - Credit Authorizers

Authorize credit charges against customers' accounts.

53117 - Credit Checkers

Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. Telephone or write to credit departments of business and service establishments to obtain information about applicant's credit standing.

53121 - Loan and Credit Clerks

Assemble documents, prepare papers, process applications, and complete transactions of individuals applying for loans and credit. Loan Clerks: Review loan papers to insure completeness; operate typewriters, word processors, or personal computers to prepare correspondence, reports, and loan documents from draft; and complete transactions between loan establishment, borrowers, and sellers upon approval of loan. Credit Clerks: Interview applicants to obtain personal and financial data; determine credit worthiness; process applications; and notify customer of acceptance or rejection of credit. Exclude Loan Interviewers.

53123 - Adjustment Clerks

Investigate and resolve customers' inquiries concerning merchandise, service, billing, or credit rating. Examine pertinent information to determine accuracy of customers' complaints and responsibility for errors. Notify customers and appropriate personnel of findings, adjustments, and recommendations, such as exchange of merchandise, refund of money, credit to customers' accounts, or adjustment to customers' bills.

53126 - Statement Clerks

Prepare and distribute bank statements to customers, answer inquiries, and reconcile discrepancies in records and accounts.

53128 - Brokerage Clerks

Perform clerical duties involving the purchase or sale of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases and sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, informing customers of stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.

Insurance Occupations

53302 - Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Investigate, analyze, and determine the extent of insurance company's liability concerning personal, casualty, or property loss or damages, and attempt to effect settlement with claimants. Correspond with or interview medical specialists, agents, witnesses, or claimants to compile information. Calculate benefit payments and approve payment of claims within a certain monetary limit. Exclude Insurance Sales Agents, Insurance Policy Process Clerks, and Claims Clerks.

53305 - Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine cost of repair for insurance claim settlement and seek agreement with automotive repair shop on cost of repair. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations.

53308 - Insurance Examining Clerks

Examine life insurance policies held as security for commercial or personal credit loans. Keep records of bank-owned insurance and fire insurance on commodity loans.

53311 - Insurance Claims Clerks

Obtain information from insured or designated persons for purpose of settling claim with insurance carrier.

53314 - Insurance Policy Processing Clerks

Process applications for, changes to, reinstatement of, and cancellation of insurance policies. Duties include reviewing insurance applications to insure that all questions have been answered, compiling data on insurance policy changes, changing policy records to conform to insured party's specifications, compiling data on lapsed insurance policies to determine automatic reinstatement according to company policies, canceling insurance policies as requested by agents, and verifying the accuracy of insurance company records. Exclude Insurance Claims Clerks and Banking Insurance Clerks.

Investigative and Related Occupations, Except Insurance

53502 - Welfare Eligibility Workers and Interviewers

Interview and investigate applicants and recipients to determine eligibility for use of social programs and agency resources. Duties include recording and evaluating personal and financial data obtained from individuals; initiating procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate eligibility for various aid programs; authorizing grant amounts; and preparing reports. These workers generally receive specialized training and assist Social Service Caseworkers.

53505 - Investigators, Clerical

Contact persons or businesses by telephone to verify employment records, health history, and moral and social behavior. Examine city directories and public records. Write reports on findings and recommendations. Exclude Insurance, Credit, and Welfare Investigators.

53508 - Bill and Account Collectors

Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customers' account; preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection; keeping records of collection and status of accounts. Exclude workers who collect money from coin boxes.

Municipal and Related Occupations

53702 - Court Clerks

Perform clerical duties in court of law; prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges; and contact witnesses, attorneys, and litigants to obtain information for court.

53705 - Municipal Clerks

Draft agendas and bylaws for town or city council; record minutes of council meetings; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; and prepare reports on civic needs.

53708 - License Clerks

Issue licenses or permits to qualified applicants. Obtain necessary information; record data; advise applicants on requirements; collect fees; and issue licenses. May conduct oral, written, visual, or performance testing.

Lodging and Travel Occupations

53802 - Travel Clerks

Provide tourists with travel information, such as points of interest, restaurants, rates, and emergency service. Duties include answering inquiries, offering suggestions, and providing literature pertaining to trips, excursions, sporting events, concerts and plays. May make reservations, deliver tickets, arrange for visas, or contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours. Exclude Travel Agents.

53805 - Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents

Make and confirm reservations for passengers and sell tickets for transportation agencies such as airlines, bus companies, railroads, and steamship lines. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track. Exclude workers selling tickets for subways, city buses, ferryboats, and street railways.

53808 - Hotel Desk Clerks

Accommodate hotel patrons by registering and assigning rooms to guests, issuing room keys, transmitting and receiving messages, keeping records of occupied rooms and guests' accounts, making and confirming reservations, and presenting statements to and collecting payments from departing guests.

Other Industry Specific Occupations

53902 - Library Assistants and Bookmobile Drivers

Library Assistants: Compile records; sort and shelve books; issue and receive library materials, such as books, pictures, cards, slides, audio and video recordings, and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials. Bookmobile Drivers: Operate a bookmobile or light truck that pulls a book trailer to specific locations on a predetermined schedule and assist with providing services in mobile library.

53905 - Teacher Aides and Educational Assistants, Clerical

Arrange work materials, supervise students at play, and operate audio-visual equipment under guidance of a teacher.

53908 - Advertising Clerks

Receive orders for classified advertising in a newspaper or magazine from customers in person or by telephone. Examine and mark classified advertisements according to copy sheet specifications to guide composing room in assembling type. Verify conformance of published advertisements to specifications for billing purposes.

53911 - Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Exclude workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Include proofreaders of Braille.

53914 - Real Estate Clerks

Perform duties concerned with rental, sale, and management of real estate, such as typing copies of listings, computing interest or penalty owed, holding collateral in escrow, and checking due notices on taxes and renewal dates of insurance and mortgage loans.

Secretarial and General Office Occupations

Secretaries

55102 - Legal Secretaries

Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May review law journals and other legal publications to identify court decisions pertinent to pending cases and submit articles to company officials. Must be familiar with legal terminology, procedures, and documents, as well as legal research.

55105 - Medical Secretaries

Perform secretarial duties utilizing specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties include taking dictation; and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence using a typewriter, word processor, or personal computer. Duties may also include preparing and sending bills to patients or recording appointments.

55108 - Secretaries, Except Legal and Medical

Relieve officials of clerical work and minor administrative and business details by scheduling appointments, giving information to callers, taking dictation, composing and typing routine correspondence (using typewriter or word processor), reading and routing incoming mail, filing correspondence and other records, and other assigned clerical duties.

Other Secretarial Related and General Office Occupations

55302 - Stenographers and/or Court Reporters

Use shorthand or speedwriting notes to take dictation, record correspondence, reports, court testimony, examinations, instructions, or other material and transcribes the recorded material.

55305 - Receptionists and Information Clerks

Answer inquiries and obtain information for general public (e.g., customers, visitors, and other interested parties). Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization; or services in a hotel. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. Exclude Receptionists who operate switchboards.

55307 - Typists, Including Word Processing

Use typewriter or word processing equipment to type letters, reports, forms, or other straight copy material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. Exclude Keypunchers, Secretaries, and Stenographers.

55314 - Personnel Clerks, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports on ability, and date of and reason for termination. Compile and type reports from employment records. File employment records. Search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.

55317 - Correspondence Clerks

Compose letters in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and typing correspondence.

55321 - File Clerks

File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested. May be required to classify and file new material.

55323 - Order Clerks, Materials, Merchandise, and Service

Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Duties include informing customers of order receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints. Exclude workers who dispatch as well as take orders for services.

55326 - Procurement Clerks

Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials.

55328 - Statistical Clerks

Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations using algebra and trigonometry and compile charts and graphs for use by Actuaries. Include Actuarial Clerks.

55332 - Interviewing Clerks, Except Personnel and Social Welfare

Interview public to obtain information. Contact persons by telephone, mail, or in person for the purpose of completing forms, applications, or questionnaires. Ask specific questions, record answers, and assist persons with completing form. May sort, classify, and file forms. Exclude workers whose primary duty is processing applications.

55335 - Customer Service Representatives, Utilities

Interview applicants for water, gas, electric, or telephone service. Talk with customer by phone or in person and receive orders for installation, turn-on, discontinuance, or change in services.

55338 - Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

55341 - Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and post employee time and payroll data. May compute time worked by employees, worker's production, commission, etc.; computes and posts wages and deductions; may prepare paychecks.

55344 - Billing, Cost, and Rate Clerks

Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of typewriters, calculators, adding and bookkeeping machines, word processors, or personal computers. Exclude workers whose primary duty is operation of special office machines or workers who calculate charges for passenger transportation.

55347 - General Office Clerks

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of bookkeeping, typing, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.

Electronic Data Processing and Other Office Machine Occupations

56002 - Billing, Posting, and Calculating Machine Operators

Operate machines that automatically perform mathematical processes, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, to calculate and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data. Duties include operating special billing machines to prepare statements, bills, and invoices, and operating bookkeeping machines to copy and post data, make computations, and compile records of transactions.

56005 - Duplicating Machine Operators

Operate one of a variety of office machines such as photocopying, photographic, mimeograph, and duplicating machines to make copies. Exclude blueprinting machine operators and operators of offset printing machines and presses.

56008 - Mail Machine Operators, Preparation and Handling

Operate machines that: Emboss names, addresses, and other matter onto metal plates for use in addressing machines; print names, addresses, and similar information onto items such as envelopes, accounting forms, and advertising literature; address, fold, stuff, seal, and stamp mail; and open envelopes. Exclude workers who prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution by hand.

56011 - Computer Operators, Except Peripheral Equipment

Monitor and control electronic computer to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. Exclude operators who control peripheral equipment only.

56014 - Peripheral EDP Equipment Operators

Operate computer peripheral equipment, such as tape or disk drives, printers, card-to-tape or tabulating machines, sorters, or interpreters. Exclude Computer Operators and Data Entry Keyers.

56017 - Data Entry Keyers, Except Composing

Operate keyboard or other data entry devices to prepare data processing input on cards, disk, or tape. Duties include coding and verifying alphabetic or numeric data.

56021 - Data Keyers, Composing

Operate photocomposing perforator or comparable data entry composing machines (similar in operation to an electric typewriter) to prepare materials for printing or publication.

56099 - All Other Office Machine Operators

All other office machine operators not classified separately above.

Communications, Mail, and Message Distributing Occupations

Communications Equipment Operators

57102 - Switchboard Operators

Operate cord or cordless switchboard to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages. May also act as receptionist, perform routine clerical work, and type.

57105 - Directory Assistance Operators

Provide telephone information from central office switchboard. Refer to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions or suggest answer sources.

57108 - Central Office Operators

Operate telephone switchboard to establish or assist customers in establishing local or long-distance telephone connections.

57111 - Telegraph and Teletype Operators

Operate telegraphic typewriter, telegraph key, facsimile machine, and related equipment to transmit and receive signals or messages. Prepare messages according to prescribed formats. Verify and correct errors in messages. May adjust equipment for proper operation.

57199 - All Other Communications Equipment Operators

All other communications equipment operators not classified separately above.

Mail and Message Distribution Occupations

57302 - Mail Clerks, Except Mail Machine Operators and Postal Service

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Duties include time stamping, opening, reading, sorting, and routing incoming mail; sealing, stamping, and affixing postage to outgoing mail or packages; and keeping necessary records and completed forms. Exclude workers whose primary duty is mail distribution or operation of mail-preparing and mail-handling machines.

57305 - Postal Mail Carriers

Sort mail for delivery. Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot.

57308 - Postal Service Clerks

Perform any combination of tasks in a post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags according to State, address, or other scheme; and examine mail for correct postage.

57311 - Messengers

Run errands. Sort and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items to offices or departments within an establishment or to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance. May use telephone to complete assigned tasks.

Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing Occupations

58002 - Dispatchers, Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Receive complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies. Broadcast orders to police radio patrol units in vicinity of complaint to investigate. Operate radio and telephone equipment to receive reports of fires and medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.

58005 - Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include use of radio or telephone to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

58008 - Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties, which are primarily clerical in nature, include reviewing and distributing production schedules and work orders; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work and production problems. Work may also include scheduling workers and estimating costs; routing and delivering parts to insure production quotas are met; scheduling shipment of parts; keeping inventory of material in departments; insuring vendors ship merchandise on promised date; and writing special orders for services and merchandise. Exclude workers whose primary duties are weighing, measuring, and checking merchandise, supplies, and equipment. Exclude workers who engage in material expediting of a nonclerical nature.

58011 - Transportation Agents

Expedite movement of freight, mail, baggage, and passengers through airline terminals. Route inbound and outbound air freight shipments. May prepare airway bill of lading on freight and record baggage, mail, freight, weights, and number of passengers on airplane.

58014 - Meter Readers, Utilities

Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and record volume used by residential and commercial customers.

58017 - Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature. Include workers who collect and keep record of samples of products or materials. Exclude Production Samplers and Weighers.

58021 - Marking Clerks

Print and attach price tickets to articles of merchandise using one or several methods, such as marking price on tickets by hand or using ticket-printing machine.

58023 - Stock Clerks - Stockroom, Warehouse or Storage Yard

Receive, store, and issue materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard. Keep records and compile stock reports. Exclude stockroom laborers and workers whose primary duties involve shipping, weighing, and checking.

58026 - Order Fillers, Wholesale and Retail Sales

Fill customers' mail and telephone orders from stored merchandise in accordance with specifications on sales slips or order forms. Duties may include computing prices of items, completing order receipts, keeping records of out-going orders, and requisitioning additional materials, supplies, and equipment. Exclude Laborers, Stock Clerks, and workers whose primary duties involve weighing and checking.

58028 - Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks

Verify and keep records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment. Duties include assembling, addressing, stamping, and shipping merchandise or material; receiving, unpacking, verifying, and recording incoming merchandise or material; and arranging for the transportation of products. Exclude Laborers, Stock Clerks, and workers whose primary duties involve weighing and checking.

58099 - All Other Material Recording, Scheduling, and Distributing Workers