What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (2023)

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (1)

If you have great keyboarding skills, a penchant for accuracy, and the ability to work under deadline, data entry may be a solid career to consider. A job in data entry can take you into a variety of industries, since employers across many sectors hire for these positions.

Wondering how to get a data entry job? First, it’s worth noting that data entry jobs are commonly available in an independent consultant structure, but they are also available as full-time, part-time, or freelance positions.

In lots of cases, data entry jobs can offer tremendous work-from-home flexibility. If you’re wondering how to become one of the FlexJobs members who’ve found job search success in data entry,read on.

FlexJobs is asubscription service for job seekers that features flexible and work from home jobs. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the monthly subscription costs allow us to fully vet and verify all of thejobs on our site—ensuring that customers have a safe and positive job searching experience.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (2) What is a Data Entry Job? Definition & Meaning

What is Data Entry? Data entry is the process of entering information or updating records in a database or computer system. What does a data entry clerk do? Data entry professionals use computers and data processing programs to input information. Data entry job descriptions may also include transcribing data from recordings or phone conversations. While most data entry duties are handled electronically, paper documentation may be used as well, depending on the employer.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (3) Data Entry Skills, Job Requirements and Experience

Typically, many employers require only a high school diploma or GED equivalent for job applicants seeking to start a data entry career. However, in some cases (often depending on the industry) a bachelor’s degree may be required. Academic qualifications will be made clear prior to a potential data entry job interview. You may be required to take a data entry test, which measures the accuracy of the data you input. Using data processing software is often a prerequisite as well, so many employers look for candidates who are proficient with platforms like Microsoft Office or the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program.

Outside of technology, candidates with the following characteristics can put themselves ahead of the pack. These data entry skills should be noted in your cover letter:

  • Organization
  • Self motivation
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Polite and courteous
  • Deadline-oriented

If you’re wondering how to become a data entry professional, the good news is that there are many employers that hire for entry-level data entry jobs, making it a great way to get on-the-job data entry training and experience. As for the job outlook for data entry, figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics project a growth rate of 3% over a 10-year period ending in 2026.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (4) Data Entry Salary: How Much Do Data Entry Jobs Pay?

According to PayScale, hourly wages for data entry jobs range from $11 to about $17 per hour, with the higher pay rates going to candidates with the most skills and experience. On average, the pay is $14.41 per hour.

(Video) What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills and Job Hunting.

Other factors that may determine pay for a data entry clerk include whether the job requires other tasks like customer service or administrative office duties. In the hospitality and travel sectors, for example, a data processor may also be required to keep track of client bookings and reservations, including schedule changes and cancellations.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (5)Finding Legitimate Data Entry Jobs

Valid data entry jobs do indeed exist but know that you shouldn’t have to pay for them with a startup fee or other investment. FlexJobs posts legitimate data entry jobs nearly every day. Every data entry position found at FlexJobs has been thoroughly vetted by a FlexJobs researcher and is offered by a reputable employer.

To spot a potential data entry scam, be wary of listings that involve:

  • Paying an administrative fee or for training
  • Processing rebates
  • Purchasing business kits
  • Promoting affiliate marketing
Browse Legitimate Data Entry Jobs

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (6) Companies That Hire for Data Entry Jobs

Data entry can be an ideal role for people who want work flexibility. Since most data entry responsibilities can be handled with a personal computer, many employers hiring for data entry jobs seek work-from-home professionals. Data entry jobs can also offer work flexibility in the form of part-time, temporary, or freelance opportunities.

FlexJobs has data entry jobs posted from a broad range of companies, including:

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (7) Types of Data Entry Jobs: Common Data Entry Job Titles

There are a few different types of roles for data entry jobs. The duties can vary from one industry to another, and employers may add other (related or non-related) general office responsibilities to the job. Some of the types of data entry jobs are:

Data Entry Clerk

This job involves basic inputting of information, either numeric or alphabetic, from one format to another, usually via keyboarding.

Data Entry Keyer

This role enters or scans figures or data into computer software systems, often from other documents such as hard copies or paper documents.

Transcriptionist

Transcription jobs are usually word-based (versus numbers-driven) and involve listening to recordings and transcribing the information into reports or other word documents.

Word Processor/Typist

Basic typing is a key duty in this job, including entering information for text documents, correspondence, and reports.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (8) Types of Data Entry: Industries that Hire Data Entry Jobs

Medical and Health

These employers can include hospitals, medical centers, and diagnostic labs and clinics.

Administrative

An office setting (or a home office) is a typical setting for many data entry professionals. For some positions, answering the phone or performing general receptionist duties may be part of the job.

Accounting and Finance

Financial institutions hire for data entry jobs that deal with tax preparation, auditing, corporate finances, payroll, and accounts payable.

Government and Politics

From public record-keeping to elections, local and state governments, as well as the federal government, often hire accurate data entry professionals.

Retail and Sales

Inventory, online sales, collection, and logistics can play major roles in retail and sales, and employers in these industries hire for flexible data entry jobs.

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs (9)Moving Forward on the Data Entry Career Path

Once you’ve established a good understanding of how to land a data entry job, and decided it’s a career you’d like to stick with, there are a few strategies for moving forward—and up the career ladder.

If you’re at the entry level and have only a high school degree, continue your education with a focus on subjects like information technology, data science, or business or office technology. Consider earning a data entry certification, an associate’s degree or racking up academic credits in an online study course that dovetails with your career aspirations as a data entry professional.

(Video) What Are Data Entry Jobs - A Guide to Salary, Skills and Job Hunting

As you progress in your data entry career, consider advancing to a supervisory position, or transitioning to a position as a data entry analyst or data analyst. Both jobs usually require a college degree; excellent analytical skills; the ability to establish and maintain databases; oversight of quarterly or annual data reporting; and great communication skills.

If you’re ready to start searching for data entry jobs, FlexJobs can help! Data entry is one of the most flexible careers in today’s job market, and that’s why we constantly add new ones to our database. Check them out and connect with your next opportunity.

Connect to Data Entry Jobs Now >>>

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FAQs

What Are Data Entry Jobs? A Guide to Salary, Skills & Job Hunting | FlexJobs? ›

Data entry careers require the following technical skills: Strong understanding of Microsoft Excel or similar database software. Knowledge of word processors, like Microsoft Word. Excellent typing and transcription skills, including typing at fast speeds. Ability to research and collect data.

What is data entry job skills? ›

Data entry careers require the following technical skills: Strong understanding of Microsoft Excel or similar database software. Knowledge of word processors, like Microsoft Word. Excellent typing and transcription skills, including typing at fast speeds. Ability to research and collect data.

What makes you a good data entry specialist answer? ›

Data entry clerks should demonstrate a capacity for multitasking, solving problems quickly and effectively, and working with the rest of their team to meet goals and deadlines. Candidates should work well under pressure and balance speed and accuracy without compromising work quality.

What are the most important skills that you think are needed for data entry operator job? ›

Important Data Entry Skills
  • Proficient In Typing. ...
  • Knowledge Of Basic Software. ...
  • Communication Skills- Verbal And Written. ...
  • Accuracy And Attention To Detail. ...
  • Operating Knowledge Of Standard Office Equipment. ...
  • Organisational and Time Management Skills. ...
  • Basic Research and Collection Of Data Skills.

What is data entry with example? ›

Data entry is the process of transcribing information into another medium through input into a computer program. People can transcribe data, including handwritten documents, spreadsheet information, sequences of numbers, computer codes, and even names and addresses.

Can you do data entry with no experience? ›

In truth, though "data entry" sounds technical, you can get many of these jobs with no previous experience. In fact, beginner-level jobs in the data entry field are available even for those with no previous experience, though adequate keyboarding speed is a must.

How to pass data entry test? ›

Practicing normal typing tests will help during your preparation, but you will need more to improve significantly. This is because, data entry tests require you to type more numbers and symbols than in a normal typing test. Therefore, you have to practice with long numbers and a combination of numbers and letters.

What type of questions are asked for data entry jobs? ›

Common data entry interview questions include questions about your attention to detail, your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, why you want to work in data entry, and more.

What skills can I bring to this role? ›

Here are some of the most constantly in-demand transferable skills.
  • Communication. Effective communication is essential in any role. ...
  • Organisation and planning. ...
  • Motivation and enthusiasm. ...
  • Initiative. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Leadership skills. ...
  • Problem solving. ...
  • Flexibility.

What typing speed is required for data entry? ›

Average Typing Speeds

Data entry positions usually require at least 45 words per minute. Positions such as transcriptionists, legal secretaries, and typists often require anywhere from 60 to 90 words per minutes on average.

Why should we hire you for data entry? ›

Data entry specialists should highlight their strongest skills, work experience, or specific examples of why they're the best person for the job. Example Answer: I have top-notch typing skills and I'm committed to accuracy and professionalism in my work.

What type of training do I need for data entry? ›

Data Entry Skills, Job Requirements and Experience

Typically, many employers require only a high school diploma or GED equivalent for job applicants seeking to start a data entry career. However, in some cases (often depending on the industry) a bachelor's degree may be required.

What are the four types of data entry? ›

The innumerous data entry tasks can be grouped into four major categories based on their nature: Data cleansing, Data Classification, Data Processing, and Data Conversion.

How do you do data entry in Excel? ›

On the worksheet, click a cell. Type the numbers or text that you want to enter, and then press ENTER or TAB. To enter data on a new line within a cell, enter a line break by pressing ALT+ENTER.

Can data entry be done on phone? ›

Enter measurements when they are collected with GLOBE's Data Entry app. Available for both iOS and Android devices, this app is perfect for entering data in real time or offline.

Is data entry easy for beginners? ›

While the position is fairly straightforward to perform, it does require significant attention to detail and consistency in repetitive tasks. A data entry clerk's main responsibility is to ensure that the organization's database is accurate and up-to-date.

Can you make a living doing data entry? ›

While online data entry jobs are not the most glamorous, they can be a good source of income for those who are detail-oriented and have a good typing speed. In this article, we'll explore some of the most effective ways to do online data entry jobs, so you can start earning money from your passion today.

Does data entry require Internet? ›

The primary qualifications for an online data entry job are reliable internet access and a desktop computer.

How long does it take to learn data entry skills? ›

How long does it take to learn data entry? A data entry course typically lasts for around one month, post which you can get an internship or part-time/full-time job at a company.

How long does it take to learn data entry? ›

Data entry clerks typically get their training while on the job. In most industries, the training covers office and clerical procedures, use of computer applications, use of office equipment, best processes for organization and database usage and other technical requirements. This training may last up to one month.

What is 10 key for data entry? ›

The Ten Key Test measures an individual's ability to perform data entry for numerical fields. The test provides both a speed score (keystrokes per hour) and an accuracy score (number of correct fields). The test consists of 20 entries, and typically takes less than 5 minutes to complete, including instructions.

What do you say in Tell me about yourself? ›

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

What top 3 qualities can you bring to this role? ›

Desired Candidate Attributes
  • Leadership. Even in entry-level positions, most employers look for evidence of leadership qualities. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills. ...
  • Analytical Skills. ...
  • Dependability and a Strong Work Ethic. ...
  • Maturity and a Professional Attitude. ...
  • Adaptability and Flexibility. ...
  • Good Personality.

What skills make you a good fit for this role answer? ›

In particular, my ability to work to tight deadlines and manage my time effectively make me a good fit for the role. For example, in my current job I have to manage my own workload, taking briefs from colleagues in multiple departments and creating a priority order that keeps everyone satisfied.

What are your salary expectations? ›

State your range and provide a rationale for why you've landed on that range, sharing some of the research you've done and noting the skills and experience that make you a strong fit for the position. Acknowledge that salary is just one of the factors that will play into your decision to accept the job or not.

What is a passing score on the typing test? ›

What is a passing score on a typing test? A typist must score at least 50 WPM according to employment typing tests. For a legal secretary, it's between 50-60 WPM. Computer coders need to score 60 WPM.

What is data entry assessment test? ›

A data entry test is an assessment given to job candidates by prospective employers for an in-depth evaluation of test-takers' skills for the data entry roles. The test will focus on basic computer proficiency, typing skills, attention to detail, and analytical and problem-solving ability.

What does data entry look like? ›

A data entry job entails working as a handler of different types of electronic data and operating devices that professionals use to enter and edit data, such as a keyboard. There are a number of occupations in this industry, including typist, coder, transcriber or word processor.

What to answer to why do we hire you? ›

Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.

What to answer to why should we hire you? ›

How to Answer Why Should We Hire You
  • Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. ...
  • Highlight that you'll fit in and be a great addition to the team. ...
  • Describe how hiring you will make their life easier and help them achieve more.
Apr 13, 2023

How do you answer why you should hire me? ›

Tips to Improve Your Answer to “Why Should We Hire You?”
  1. Respond with clarity and confidence that you're a great fit.
  2. Never undermine your lack of experience.
  3. Always show what you feel makes you unique.
  4. Incorporate examples from previous jobs and how they relate to the key qualifications.

How can I learn data entry for free? ›

Free Online Courses and Certificates to Consider
  1. Basics of Touch Typing [Alison] ...
  2. MS Excel – From 0 to Working Professional in 1 hour [Udemy] ...
  3. Domestic Data Entry Operator Course [Coursera] ...
  4. Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel [Coursera] ...
  5. Microsoft Office Access 2013 Advanced [Alison]
Mar 17, 2023

How do I become a data entry clerk at home? ›

The qualifications that you need to start working as a remote data clerk depend on your job duties. Employers usually expect data entry clerks to be able to type quickly and accurately. Aside from typing skills, most jobs require a high school diploma and knowledge of programs like Microsoft Office.

What is a skill example? ›

Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills. For example, in the domain of work, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, self-motivation and others, whereas domain-specific skills would be used only for a certain job.

What is the most common form of data entry? ›

Converting manually created documents into a digital platform is called Manual Data Entry. This is the most basic and most common kind of data entry job. This involves simply reading a PDF document and typing it into a Word document.

What is the most common method for data entry? ›

The most common data entry method is the transcription of information from a paper form (such as a questionnaire) by manual entry into a file using a computer software package.

What are the 4 C's of data? ›

If you don't have a digital component in your program or are unsure where to get started with your retention of records processes, there are 4 C's to keep in mind: Compliance, Control, Cost Savings, and Collaboration.

How to do data entry work step by step? ›

Follow the below steps to excel in data entry job:
  1. Improve your language skills. English language skills are essential to work in data entry industry. ...
  2. Become a better typist. Good typing speed is the most important skill that is required in data entry field. ...
  3. Gain computer skills. ...
  4. Bolster your interpersonal skills.
Feb 28, 2023

Do you need Excel for data entry? ›

As a data entry clerk, you are expected to have sufficient knowledge of the tools used for your work or have the ability to quickly learn them. Basically, a data entry clerk should know how to use tools such as word processors, excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint.

What are the 5 types of data in Excel? ›

In a Data Model, each column has an associated data type that specifies the type of data the column can hold: whole numbers, decimal numbers, text, monetary data, dates and times, and so on.

What apps do you need for data entry? ›

Data Entry Applications for Android
  • Forms On Fire. 4.7. (118) ...
  • Process Runner. 4.8. (9) ...
  • kintone. 4.7. (143) ...
  • Dext Prepare. 4.2. Simple pre-accounting for auto-entrepreneurs and SMEs. ...
  • FastField. 4.8. (25) ...
  • Jotform. Highly viewed. 4.6. ...
  • FORM OpX. 4.5. (36) ...
  • Visualogyx. 5.0. Digital Inspection, Audit and Verification Software.

What are the three types of data entry? ›

There are several types of data entry services. These include basic, online, formatting, conversion, and transcription.

Which apps are used for data entry? ›

  • Jotform. FrontRunners 2023. ...
  • Lucy. FrontRunners 2023. ...
  • ProntoForms. FrontRunners 2023. ...
  • FastField. FastField is a cloud-based data entry solution that helps businesses of all sizes gather data, create forms and collect information via tablets and smartphones. ...
  • Flatirons Fuse. ...
  • Forms On Fire. ...
  • Process Runner. ...
  • kintone.

What is 10 key data entry? ›

The Ten Key Test measures an individual's ability to perform data entry for numerical fields. The test provides both a speed score (keystrokes per hour) and an accuracy score (number of correct fields). The test consists of 20 entries, and typically takes less than 5 minutes to complete, including instructions.

Is data entry a good job? ›

Data Entry jobs are an excellent way for you to make a decent amount of money and get some work experience. Some of the reasons why a data entry career is ideal for college students are: It is an extremely easy job with no advanced skills requirements.

What does data entry consist of? ›

Data entry professionals use computers and data processing programs to input information. Data entry job descriptions may also include transcribing data from recordings or phone conversations. While most data entry duties are handled electronically, paper documentation may be used as well, depending on the employer.

What is the most common data entry? ›

Converting manually created documents into a digital platform is called Manual Data Entry. This is the most basic and most common kind of data entry job. This involves simply reading a PDF document and typing it into a Word document.

What is simple data entry? ›

The simplest data entry technique involves typing the data into a spreadsheet by hand. This is usually necessary the first time that data are introduced into a computer. If the data already exist in a computer file of some kind, a simple way might exist to insert these data into a Gnumeric worksheet.

Can data entry be done from home? ›

Because there's very little equipment involved (all you need is a computer and the internet), remote data entry jobs have long been a good option for those looking to work from home. With more and more companies moving to remote work, it's an ideal time to find a position in this field.

Which site is best for data entry jobs? ›

Let us look at some of the online data entry job sites.
  • Upwork. ...
  • Fiverr. ...
  • Scribie. ...
  • Mturk. ...
  • Naukri.com. ...
  • Indeed. Indeed is claimed to be one of the top recruiters in the world. ...
  • Freelancer. The name itself gives away a lot. ...
  • Rev. Rev is quite a famous platform for finding data entry jobs.

Is data entry easy or hard? ›

Barriers to entry in the data entry industry are not very high, and it does not require a stringent training process. When preparing for a career in data entry, it can be beneficial to gain practical experience to help you in the role.

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