What Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes"; "Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information"; "Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations"; "Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software"; "Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is some college, no degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,532,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,446,800 in 2035, a decrease of 85,600 jobs (-5.6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 144,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 5.6% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,670, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks earn the most
Across the 31 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $46,821 in Kentucky to $59,374 in New Hampshire, a gap of $12,553 (1.27 times). 16 of those 31 states average above the BLS national median of $50,670 and 15 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 144,940, which is 9.8% of the 1,485,030 counted across them. Texas follows with 115,250.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($59,374), District of Columbia ($59,290) and Massachusetts ($58,969) lead the ranking, while Kentucky ($46,821) and Tennessee ($48,078) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: pay against the cost of living
We compare 51 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $28,063. The smallest margin is $7,237 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 51 of the 51 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 26.4% and 68.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-3000) include Billing and Posting Clerks, Bill and Account Collectors and Tellers.
Frequently asked questions about Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
How much do Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,670. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $46,821 to $59,374.
Which state pays Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $59,374. District of Columbia is next at $59,290.
Is Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 5.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 144,100 openings a year.
What education do Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is some college, no degree and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $28,063 on a median wage of $59,290.