Mid-Level

Fingerprint Clerk

Fingerprint clerks handle the records and processing work for fingerprint files — receiving, classifying, filing, and retrieving fingerprint records as needed for law enforcement and background checks.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
S
E
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Fingerprint Clerks
Employment concentration · ~400 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 Fingerprint Clerk

Workdays involve steady processing work — entering records, processing requests for prints, and maintaining files. Modern fingerprint work involves both physical cards and digital systems, and the workflow varies depending on whether the office has fully transitioned to electronic records or still maintains a hybrid.

Collaboration usually involves law enforcement, identification staff, and sometimes the public for records requests. What's harder than expected is the consequence of accuracy — these records often factor into legal proceedings or hiring decisions, and errors can affect real outcomes for real people. Processing the wrong record back is more than an administrative slip.

People who thrive tend to be methodical, careful, and content with focused work. If you find satisfaction in supporting law enforcement records work, the role often suits. People who need creative challenge or social interaction usually find the role too quiet — but for those drawn to the precision and the law enforcement connection, it's often a steady, meaningful career.

RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — 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 Fingerprint Clerks (SOC 43-4071.00, 43-9061.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Fingerprint Clerk career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — 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 — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29K–$64K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
2.6M
U.S. Employment
-11.3%
10yr Growth
290K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningSpeakingWritingService OrientationWritingMonitoring
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-4071.0043-9061.00

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