Mid-Level

Identification Clerk

Identification clerks handle identification records — processing applications, maintaining files, and supporting the verification work that ID systems require.

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 Identification 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 Identification Clerk

Workdays involve steady processing — taking applications, verifying documentation, producing IDs, and maintaining the records. The work tends to be detail-heavy and procedurally rigorous. Most clerks develop a feel for which applications need extra scrutiny — not as suspicion but as careful documentation review.

Collaboration usually involves applicants, supervisors, and sometimes law enforcement for verification purposes. What's harder than expected is the consequence of errors — bad IDs create real problems for both the holder (denied access, legal trouble) and the issuing organization (security incidents, audit findings).

People who thrive tend to be methodical, careful, and patient with applicants. If you find satisfaction in supporting accurate identification systems, the role often suits. People who need creative challenge or who get impatient with applicants who don't have their paperwork in order usually find the role wearing — patience with people who are frustrated is part of the job.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
Working ConditionsLower
IndependenceLower
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 Identification Clerks (SOC 43-4161.00, 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.
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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–$67K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
2.6M
U.S. Employment
-6.9%
10yr Growth
291K
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 ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingWritingMonitoringCritical ThinkingSocial Perceptiveness
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-4161.0043-9061.00

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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.