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Career

Data Entry Keyers

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $41,340 Median per year · $19.88/hr Most earn $31,200–$58,790

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors.
  • Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors.
  • Compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered.
  • Maintain logs of activities and completed work.
  • Resolve garbled or indecipherable messages, using cryptographic procedures and equipment.
  • Compare data with source documents, or re-enter data in verification format to detect errors.

Job outlook

United States
26% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 7,700 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Temporary help services7.6%
  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services5.1%
  • Computer systems design and related services4.5%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services4.0%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.9%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Data entry keyer is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and then spend about 1 to 2 years in related office or typing work before taking on this role.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build basic typing, computer, and office skills so you can enter information quickly and accurately.

  2. Word Processors and Typists

    1-2 years

    Work on typing and document tasks, which sharpens your speed, accuracy, and attention to detail with data.

  3. Data Entry Keyer

    Varies

    Operate data entry equipment, enter and verify information, and prepare materials, which is the core of this job.

Where it can lead

  1. Billing and Posting Clerks

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move from simply entering data to handling account and billing records, which requires more accuracy checking and familiarity with financial recordkeeping.

  2. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

    2-4 years of experience first

    You take on responsibility for employee pay and time records, which usually calls for more experience and careful attention to accuracy and rules.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take a keyboarding or typing classFast, accurate typing is the main skill this job uses every day.
  • Take a computer applications or spreadsheet classKnowing common office software makes you a stronger candidate for data work.
  • Help in the school office or libraryClerical tasks like filing, sorting, and entering records give you real-world experience and a reference.
  • Join a club that keeps records, such as a student council or yearbookTracking lists, budgets, or photos shows you can handle information carefully and on deadline.
  • Get a starter job, like a store cashier or a food service jobAny job that involves accuracy, counting, and following procedures builds habits employers value.

In college

  • Take courses in Excel, databases, or office softwareData entry work often involves spreadsheets and records systems, so these skills help you get hired.
  • Get a campus work-study job in an officeWorking in a university office gives you experience with records, forms, and deadlines.
  • Earn a typing or office skills certificateMany community colleges and workforce programs offer short certificates that show employers your typing and software skills.
  • Look for a summer internship or temp job in administrative workShort office roles give you experience and a chance to learn how data flows through a business.
  • Join a student organization that manages money or membership listsTreasurer or membership roles build careful record-keeping habits and show responsibility on a resume.

Tips for getting started

  • Practice typing every day with free online typing tools, and track your speed and accuracy so you can show improvement.
  • Learn a spreadsheet program such as Excel or Google Sheets, since many data jobs ask for it.
  • Look for part-time or seasonal office work, such as a front desk or clerical job, to build experience that employers look for.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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