How to become a personnel clerk

Official title: Personnel clerks

Also called: Staffing clerk, Training clerk, Personnel clerk, Employment clerk, Identification clerk, Human resources clerk, Labour relations clerk, Personnel services clerk, Classification clerk - human resources, Human resources clerk - canadian armed forces, Staffing assistant, Human resources assistant

Personnel clerks assist personnel officers and human resources specialists and compile, maintain and process information relating to staffing, recruitment, training, labour relations, performance evaluations and classifications. They are employed in personnel departments throughout the private and public sectors.

Main tasks

• Process, verify and register documentation relating to personnel activities such as staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations and classifications
• Maintain and update manual and computerized filing and registration systems, and compile and prepare reports and documents relating to personnel activities
• Respond to telephone and written enquiries from staff and the general public regarding personnel matters
• Arrange for advertising or posting of job vacancies, assist in screening and rating of job applicants, and conduct reference checks
• Administer and score employment tests, such as keyboarding and proofreading tests
• Arrange for in-house and external training activities

How to become one

Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of college or other courses in personnel administration may be required. Some clerical experience may be required.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Pay · Outlook

• Median pay: $54,366 a year The middle half earn $46,878 to $64,272.
• About 12,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 14,900 are projected by 2033. (+16.4%)
• Projected labour market to 2033: balance.

Related jobs

• General office support workers
• Receptionists
• Court clerks and related court services occupations

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Questions people ask

How do I become a personnel clerk?

Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of college or other courses in personnel administration may be required. Some clerical experience may be required.

How much does a personnel clerk earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $54,366 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $46,878 to $64,272.

Is a personnel clerk a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2033, from about 12,800 to about 14,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a personnel clerk?

Not always. 36% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

• Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03