File Clerks Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $47,570 +15.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.87
10th percentile $35,350
90th percentile $71,520
Employed locally 2,580
National median $41,270

Compare File Clerks salary & buying power

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File Clerks
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,350
    25th
    $39,440
    50th (median)
    $47,570
    75th
    $61,210
    90th
    $71,520

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    File Clerks salary vs area income 54% Median File Clerks salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for File Clerks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,480
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $58,780
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $58,300
    District of Columbia $57,560
    Gainesville, FL $55,650
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $53,860

    Nearby metros — File Clerks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $58,780
    Gainesville, FL $55,650
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $50,920
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $49,920
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $47,400
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $46,940

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives $45,820
    Office Clerks, General $45,450
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $49,690
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $50,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $67,940
    Receptionists and Information Clerks $37,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do File Clerks make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for File Clerks in Chicago, IL-IN is $22.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.72 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for File Clerks salaries?

    The median File Clerks salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 15.3% above the national median of $41,270. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for File Clerks in Chicago?

    Entry-level File Clerks (10th percentile) earn around $35,350 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,440.