Mid-Level

Code and Test Clerk

Code and test clerks handle the coding and testing portion of paperwork or specimen processing โ€” applying classification codes, running standard tests, and recording results that feed downstream decisions.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
S
R
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Code and Test Clerks
Employment concentration ยท ~390 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Code and Test Clerk

The work flows steadily โ€” receiving items in your queue, applying the appropriate codes or running tests, and routing results onward. The work tends to be detail-heavy and metrics-tracked, with productivity expectations that don't leave much room for distraction. Many clerks develop their own informal sequencing โ€” handling the easy items first to build momentum, then tackling the trickier ones in a focused block.

Collaboration is usually light โ€” handoffs and quick clarifications โ€” but you'll work with the upstream and downstream teams when something doesn't fit the standard process. What's harder than expected is the precision required โ€” small coding errors create real downstream problems, and a single misclassified item can cause a chain of mistakes that takes weeks to unwind.

People who thrive tend to be methodical, accurate, and content with focused work. If you find satisfaction in clean output and consistent throughput, the role often suits you. People who need variety or external interaction usually find the solo focus too quiet โ€” though the consistency is exactly what some people find restful.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
โœฆ Editorial โ€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape โ€” and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Code and Test Clerks (SOC 43-9061.00), not just this title ยท BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Code and Test Clerk career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit โ€” and plan your path forward.
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โœฆ Editorial โ€” career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape โ€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29Kโ€“$64K
Salary Range
10th โ€“ 90th percentile
2.5M
U.S. Employment
-6.7%
10yr Growth
282K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCritical ThinkingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCoordinationMonitoring
O*NET OnLine ยท Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-9061.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS Employment Projections ยท O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.