MyProfile.my

Filing and Archiving Clerk

Kerani Fail & Arkib

"The records management sector focusing on organizing, categorizing, digitizing, and safely retrieving physical and electronic corporate documents."

The Career Story

Filing and Archiving Clerks are the structural organizers of corporate memory. To strictly differentiate: The Data Analyst interprets digital numbers. The Secretary drafts the document. The Filing Clerk ensures that physical document is punched, indexed, and stored in the exact right folder so it can be found five years later during an audit.

Despite the digital age, many sectors in Malaysia especially legal firms, government departments, and healthcare still rely heavily on massive physical paper trails.

A Filing Clerk operates in the quiet back-rooms of these offices. They receive stacks of invoices, legal briefs, or patient records daily. They must sort them alphabetically, chronologically, or alphanumerically, punch holes, and place them in heavy arch files. Increasingly, they are also responsible for operating large industrial scanners to digitize old files and tagging them with metadata in a digital database. It is a highly repetitive, low-stress, and extremely introverted job with a very high risk of eventual AI and digital replacement.

Why People Choose This Path

Zero Stress

Once you clock out, the job is done. There are no after-hours emergencies or clients calling you at night.

Extreme Introversion

You can spend most of your day in a quiet file room, organizing papers while listening to podcasts or music.

No Academic Barrier

Only requires SPM and basic literacy, making it an easy entry-level job.

Routine & Predictable

The tasks are the same every day, perfect for individuals who hate chaos and love structured repetition.

Physical Movement

Unlike desk-bound jobs, you are constantly walking, lifting files, and moving around the office.

A Day in the Life

Sort, classify, and physically file daily incoming documents (invoices, contracts, medical records) according to strict company indexing systems.

Retrieve and sign-out specific physical files requested by executives, lawyers, or auditors, ensuring they are tracked and returned.

Operate industrial scanners to digitize physical archives, inputting accurate metadata and tags into the electronic document management system.

Regularly audit filing cabinets and storage rooms to ensure files are in correct order and replace damaged folders.

Intelligence Locked

The Journey to Become One

1. Junior Filing Clerk

1 to 3 Years

Focus entirely on sorting daily paperwork, hole-punching, and putting documents into physical folders.

2. Archiving Executive / Digitization Clerk

3 to 6 Years

Take charge of scanning physical archives into digital databases, managing metadata, and controlling file check-outs.

3. Records Manager

6 to 10+ Years

Oversee the entire corporate document retention policy, deciding when documents can be legally shredded and managing warehouse storage.

Minimum Academic Reality Check

Education

SPM is sufficient. Basic computer literacy is required for the digital aspect of the job.

Organization

Must have an obsessive need to put things in their proper place. A misplaced file in a law firm can cause a disaster.

Physicality

Requires dealing with paper cuts, dust, and lifting heavy boxes of files or moving large metal shelving units.

Focus

Must be able to maintain concentration on highly repetitive, mundane tasks without getting distracted.

Career Progression Ladder

Intelligence Locked

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Filing and Archiving Clerk?

What salary does a Filing and Archiving Clerk earn in Malaysia?

A Filing and Archiving Clerk in Malaysia earns a starting salary of RM 1,500 - RM 1,800 per month at entry level, rising to RM 3,500 at senior level, based on MyProfile.my's career intelligence data.

What skills are required to become a Filing and Archiving Clerk?

To succeed as a Filing and Archiving Clerk, key skills include: Alphanumeric Sorting / Indexing, Basic Data Entry / Typing, Document Scanning & Digitization, High Attention to Detail, Physical Stamina (Lifting heavy files), Basic MS Office Skills.

Is Filing and Archiving Clerk safe from AI replacement?

The AI replacement risk for a Filing and Archiving Clerk is currently estimated at 90%. This indicates a high risk of future automation.

What does a Filing and Archiving Clerk do (A day in the life)?

Typical daily responsibilities include: Sort, classify, and physically file daily incoming documents (invoices, contracts, medical records) according to strict company indexing systems.; Retrieve and sign-out specific physical files requested by executives, lawyers, or auditors, ensuring they are tracked and returned.; Operate industrial scanners to digitize physical archives, inputting accurate metadata and tags into the electronic document management system..

How to become a Filing and Archiving Clerk (The Journey)?

The typical educational pathway involves: 1. Junior Filing Clerk ➔ 2. Archiving Executive / Digitization Clerk ➔ 3. Records Manager.

Which universities offer programs to become a Filing and Archiving Clerk?

Some of the top recognized institutions include: Not applicable.. You can explore these and more in our Top Universities section.

What certificates are needed for a Filing and Archiving Clerk?

Valuable professional certifications for this career include: Not applicable; usually on-the-job training..

Intelligence Scores

Malaysia Demand 60%

Global Demand 50%

Future Relevance 30%

Fresh Grad Opp. 80%

Introvert Match 90%

Extrovert Match 10%

AI Replacement Risk 90%

Salary Intelligence

Entry Level RM 1,500 - RM 1,800

Mid Level RM 2,000 - RM 2,800

Senior Level RM 3,500

Average By Sector

Intelligence Locked

Work Conditions

Environment

Corporate Back-offices, Legal Firms, Government Archives

Remote

Not Possible (For physical files)

Avg Hours

40 Hours Weekly

Leadership

Low

Empathy

N/A

Stress Level

Low

Required Skills

Alphanumeric Sorting / Indexing Basic Data Entry / Typing Document Scanning & Digitization High Attention to Detail Physical Stamina (Lifting heavy files) Basic MS Office Skills Confidentiality Adherence

Professional Certifications

Not applicable; usually on-the-job training.

Top Universities

Malaysian Universities

Not applicable.

International Universities

Intelligence Locked

What else can they become?

Data Entry Clerk Library Assistant Admin Assistant Mailroom Clerk Receptionist

Data provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Salaries and demand metrics vary based on market conditions.

Data Methodology • Report an inaccuracy