What Does a Data Entry Clerk Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a data entry clerk do?

Data entry keyers enter data from source documents into computer systems, and verify and correct data. The median pay is $41,340 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -25.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$41,340
$19.88/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-25.5%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
7,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
131,800
Employment, 2025

What data entry clerks do

Data entry clerks turn paper and scanned forms into usable data. They type information into databases and spreadsheets, check entries against source documents, fix errors and keep records organized. They work in healthcare, insurance, government, retail and research.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline as scanning and automation take over, so speed, accuracy and broader office skills matter.

Typical duties

Enter data from documents
Verify accuracy
Correct errors
Update records
Scan documents
Organize files
Meet productivity targets

Work environment and schedule

Data entry clerks work in offices and often remotely.

Schedule: Full or part time, with flexible or shift schedules.

A day in the life

8:00 AMLog in and check the batch queue.
8:30 AMKey insurance forms.
10:00 AMVerify a sample.
11:30 AMFix flagged errors.

See a full day in the life of a data entry clerk →

Data Entry Clerk salary

Half of data entry clerks earned more than $41,340 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,200 for the lowest 10% to $58,790 for the top 10%.

$31,20010th$41,340Median$58,79090th

Full data entry clerk pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a data entry clerk

Finish high school
Build typing speed
Learn Excel
Get hired
Grow skills

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a data entry clerk →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Fast typing
10-key
Data verification
Spreadsheets
Database entry

People skills

Accuracy
Focus
Reliability
Self-discipline

All data entry clerk skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Short training
Remote options
Flexible schedules
Quiet work

Cons

Steep decline in jobs
Repetitive
Low pay
Strain injuries

Certifications and licenses

Typing speed certificate: Proof of WPM.
10-key certificate: Proof of KPH.
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel skills.
HIPAA training: For healthcare data.

Career path

Data Entry Clerk: Entry.
Data Specialist: Data quality.
Office Administrator: Broader role.
Data Analyst: With more skills.

Learn the job before day one

Our Data Entry Clerk training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as raise your typing speed without losing accuracy and verify a data entry batch, safety and how to land your first job.

View Data Entry Clerk training Is this career right for me?

Office Clerk

Handle the everyday tasks that keep an office running.

$45,010
A few weeks on the job

File Clerk

Organize, store and retrieve records so people can find them fast.

$43,600
A few weeks on the job

Typist

Type and format documents, letters and reports.

$49,280
A few weeks on the job

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Translate medical records into codes and claims so providers get paid correctly.

$51,140
4–12 months

Compare: Data Entry Clerk vs. Office Clerk · Data Entry Clerk vs. File Clerk · Data Entry Clerk vs. Typist · Data Entry Clerk vs. Medical Coder

Data Entry Clerk FAQ

Is data entry a good job?

It’s easy to enter, but BLS projects a steep decline.

Can I work from home?

Many jobs are remote; watch for scams that ask for payment.

What speed is needed?

Many employers want 40 to 60 words per minute.

How much does a data entry clerk make?

The median annual wage for data entry clerks was $41,340 ($19.88 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $58,790.

How long does it take to become a data entry clerk?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a data entry clerk?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-9021 (Data entry keyers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Data entry keyers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Data Entry Clerk