Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
- $44,770
- 2–6 weeks (paid training)
Business & Office career
Correspondence Clerk
Also called: Correspondence Specialist · Customer Correspondence Clerk · Letter Writer · Mail Response Clerk
What correspondence clerks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a correspondence clerk do?
Correspondence clerks compose letters or emails in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, or to complaints. The median pay is $46,800 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$46,800$22.50/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs4,800Employment, 2025
What correspondence clerks do
Correspondence clerks handle written customer communication. They read letters and emails, research accounts, write clear replies, send forms and records, track responses and route complex cases to the right team. They work for insurers, banks, utilities and government.
A high school diploma and short on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a decline; it is a small occupation.
Typical duties
- Read incoming letters and emails
- Research accounts
- Write replies
- Send forms and records
- Route complex cases
- Track responses
- Maintain files
Work environment and schedule
Clerks work in offices and remotely.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Sort the correspondence queue.
- Research an account question.
- Write a reply to a complaint.
- Send copies of records.
See a full day in the life of a correspondence clerk →
Correspondence Clerk salary
Half of correspondence clerks earned more than $46,800 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,300 for the lowest 10% to $64,510 for the top 10%.
Full correspondence clerk pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a correspondence clerk
- Finish high school
- Build writing skills
- Get hired
- Learn systems
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a correspondence clerk →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Business writing
- Account research
- Records handling
- Typing
- Templates
People skills
- Clear writing
- Accuracy
- Empathy
- Organization
All correspondence clerk skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Writing-focused work
- Remote options
- No degree needed
- Steady pace
Cons
- Declining employment
- Repetitive
- Complaints
- Small field
Certifications and licenses
- Business writing course: Helpful.
- Typing certificate: Helpful.
- Customer service training: Helpful.
- Records management training: Helpful.
Career path
- Correspondence Clerk: Entry.
- Senior Clerk: Complex cases.
- Team Lead: Lead.
- Customer Service Manager: Run teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Correspondence Clerk training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a reply to a customer complaint letter and use plain language in business letters, safety and how to land your first job.
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Administrative Assistant
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File Clerk
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Compare: Correspondence Clerk vs. Customer Service Rep · Correspondence Clerk vs. Office Clerk · Correspondence Clerk vs. Administrative Assistant · Correspondence Clerk vs. File Clerk
Correspondence Clerk FAQ
Do correspondence clerks need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
Is writing important?
Yes, it’s the core skill.
How much does a correspondence clerk make?
The median annual wage for correspondence clerks was $46,800 ($22.50 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $64,510.
How long does it take to become a correspondence clerk?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a correspondence clerk?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More correspondence clerk questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4021 (Correspondence clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Correspondence clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.