Records Management Technician

Career Guide

A Records Management Technician helps an organization store, organize, protect, and retrieve records across paper and digital formats. The role supports daily operations by keeping information accurate, easy to find, and handled according to legal and internal rules.

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Key Responsibilities

File and index records using clear naming and folder rules
Scan paper documents and verify image quality and completeness
Enter and update record details in tracking systems
Retrieve requested records for staff, audits, and public requests
Apply retention schedules to determine how long records are kept
Prepare records for secure destruction when retention periods end
Maintain chain of custody for sensitive records
Support privacy and confidentiality practices for protected information
Respond to basic records questions and guide staff on correct filing
Assist with records inventories and clean up projects

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Organization

Written Communication

Time Management

Customer Service

Confidentiality

Document Scanning

Data Entry

File Naming Standards

Records Indexing

Retention Scheduling

Records Disposition

Privacy Compliance

Access Control

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Records Coordinator

Records Analyst

Records Management Specialist

Compliance Coordinator

Information Governance Specialist

Transition Opportunities

Office Manager

Administrative Services Supervisor

Document Control Specialist

Data Governance Coordinator

Legal Operations Assistant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Retention SchedulingPrivacy ComplianceRecords DispositionDigital Records ManagementQuality ControlProcess DocumentationAudit ReadinessSpreadsheet Skills

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple portfolio of records work, such as a sample file plan, a retention tracker, and a scanning quality checklist. Ask to assist with one cleanup or digitization project to gain hands-on experience with retention, access control, and secure disposal.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 38,000 to 48,000

Mid LevelUSD 48,000 to 62,000

Senior LevelUSD 62,000 to 78,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, driven by compliance needs, digitization projects, and higher expectations for fast information retrieval.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Local government agenciesState government agenciesFederal agenciesHospitals and health systemsUniversities and collegesBanks and credit unionsInsurance companiesLaw firmsConstruction firmsManufacturing companies

Industry Sectors

GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinancial ServicesLegal ServicesConstructionManufacturingUtilitiesTransportationTechnology

Recommended Next Steps

Learn the organization retention schedule and practice applying it to common record types

Create a consistent file naming guide and use it in daily work

Improve spreadsheet skills for inventory lists and tracking logs

Practice scanning workflows and document quality checks

Request exposure to audit requests and access logs to understand compliance expectations

Update your resume with measurable results such as boxes processed, files indexed, and turnaround time for retrieval requests

Explore entry certifications in records and information management if common in your target employers