U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Compose letters in reply to request for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and typing correspondence.

• 2008 employment: 14,200
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Decline rapidly
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term-on-the-job training

Perform clerical duties in courts of law, municipalities, and governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; record data, administer tests, or collect fees.

• 2008 employment: 122,100
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: About as fast as average
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term-on-the-job training

Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policy holders and insurance company representatives. Excludes claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators.

• 2008 employment: 253,800
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Little or no change
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Use hand or mail handling machines to time, stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.

• 2008 employment: 141,400
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Decline rapidly
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term on-the-job training

Interview persons desiring to open bank accounts. Explain banking services available to prospective customers and assist them in preparing application form.

• 2008 employment: 87,300
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Little or no change
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Work experience in a related occupation

Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines. Excludes computer operators; mail clerks and mail machine operators; and billing and posting clerks and machine operators.

• 2008 employment: 79,900
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Decline slowly
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term on-the-job training

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of Braille.

• 2008 employment: 18,200
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: Decline slowly
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term on-the-job training

Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.

• 2008 employment: 17,900
• Projected 2008-18 employment change: More slowly than average
• Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Last Modified Date: December 17, 2009