File Clerks Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
File Clerks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $59,480 a year, or about $28.59 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $53,867 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 89.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About file clerks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level file clerks (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $89K or more - a $53K spread from bottom to top.
File Clerks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $58K | +39% | 180 |
| Oregon | $49K | +20% | 950 |
| Rhode Island | $48K | +17% | 90 |
| Washington | $47K | +14% | 590 |
| California | $47K | +14% | 9,740 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +13% | 790 |
| Illinois | $46K | +12% | 3,740 |
| Hawaii | $46K | +12% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $45K | +10% | 730 |
| Iowa | $45K | +9% | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | +8% | 1,660 |
| Maryland | $45K | +8% | 850 |
| New Jersey | $45K | +8% | 2,690 |
| Virginia | $44K | +7% | 1,420 |
| Alaska | $44K | +7% | 220 |
Track file clerks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do file clerks make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $59,480 a year - that works out to about $28.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,500, and experienced file clerks can clear $89,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,998/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 87.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a file clerks salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median file clerks salary is worth about $53,867 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do file clerks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.