Foreign Trade Clerk

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Work Tasks

• Change U.S. and foreign money into currencies of equal value
• Decide how much tax to charge on things going into and coming out of the country
• Look at invoices, bills, and shipping statements to make sure the money amounts paid are fair and correct
• Speak and write to others and write documents in foreign languages
• Work in offices for companies that have a lot of business in other countries like rubber, car, and office machine manufacturers
• Work with adding machines, calculators, money exchange tables, invoices, bills, typewriters, telephones, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $38,000 average per year ($18.25 per hour)
• A large occupation (483,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.5% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma, office skills, and on-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree in office practices with office software skills
• Skills/Courses: Training on trade laws and practices, on use and operation of computer software; and on company policies and regulations.