What Does a New Accounts Clerk Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a new accounts clerk do?

New accounts clerks interview people who want to open bank accounts, explain account types and services, and complete required paperwork. The median pay is $47,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -6.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$47,670
$22.92/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-6.5%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
2,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
37,900
Employment, 2025

What new accounts clerks do

New accounts clerks help customers start banking. They explain checking, savings and CD options, verify identity, open accounts, order debit cards and checks, set up online banking and help with account changes.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a decline as online account opening grows.

Typical duties

Explain account options
Verify identity
Open accounts
Order cards and checks
Set up online banking
Process account changes
Follow BSA rules

Work environment and schedule

Clerks work in bank and credit union branches and call centers.

Schedule: Full time, sometimes Saturdays.

A day in the life

9:00 AMOpen a checking account.
10:00 AMExplain CD rates.
11:00 AMSet up online banking.
12:30 PMUpdate a signer on a business account.

See a full day in the life of a new accounts clerk →

New Accounts Clerk salary

Half of new accounts clerks earned more than $47,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,180 for the lowest 10% to $60,910 for the top 10%.

$38,18010th$47,670Median$60,91090th

Full new accounts clerk pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a new accounts clerk

Finish high school
Work as a teller
Learn products
Open accounts
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a new accounts clerk →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Banking products
Identity verification
Account opening systems
BSA/AML
Customer service

People skills

Friendliness
Accuracy
Clear explanation
Trustworthiness

All new accounts clerk skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Entry to banking
Regular hours
Help customers start out
No degree needed

Cons

Declining employment
Sales goals
Paperwork
Strict rules

Certifications and licenses

BSA/AML training: Required.
Banking product training: Employer.
Customer service training: Helpful.
ABA banking courses: Helpful.

Career path

Teller: Entry.
New Accounts Clerk: Open accounts.
Personal Banker: Advise.
Branch Manager: Lead branch.

Learn the job before day one

Our New Accounts Clerk training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as open a checking account step by step and explain APY and CDs simply, safety and how to land your first job.

View New Accounts Clerk training Is this career right for me?

Bank Teller

Help bank customers with deposits, withdrawals and everyday banking.

$43,030
A few weeks on the job

Loan Officer

Help people and businesses get mortgages and loans, from application to closing.

$76,690
3–6 months for mortgage licensing

Customer Service Representative

Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.

$44,770
2–6 weeks (paid training)

Credit Authorizer

Check credit applications and approve or flag purchases on credit.

$50,080
A few months on the job

Compare: New Accounts Clerk vs. Bank Teller · New Accounts Clerk vs. Loan Officer · New Accounts Clerk vs. Customer Service Rep · New Accounts Clerk vs. Credit Authorizer

New Accounts Clerk FAQ

Do new accounts clerks need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline.

Is it a path to personal banker?

Yes.

How much does a new accounts clerk make?

The median annual wage for new accounts clerks was $47,670 ($22.92 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,910.

How long does it take to become a new accounts clerk?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a new accounts clerk?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4141 (New accounts clerks).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for New accounts 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.

New Accounts Clerk