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Healthcare Administration
UnitedHealth Group, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare
Data Entry Keyers
Data entry keyers move information from forms, invoices, reports, and other source documents into computer systems, then check it again for mistakes. The work stands out because accuracy matters as much as speed: a single typo can throw off billing, records, or reporting. The tradeoff is straightforward work that is easy to learn but repetitive and increasingly exposed to automation and document-reading software.
Also known as Data Entry ClerkData Entry OperatorData Entry SpecialistKey Entry OperatorData Processing Clerk
Median Salary
$39,850
Mean $42,070
U.S. Workforce
~135K
9.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-25.9%
141.6K to 104.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Data Entry Keyers sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~135K workers, with a median annual pay of $39,850 and roughly 9.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 141.6 K in 2024 to 104.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Clerical Assistant and can progress toward Data Quality Coordinator. High-value skills usually include Document Review & Data Verification, Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheets, and Data Entry Systems & Database Software, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Monitoring.
Core Responsibilities
- Read paper forms, invoices, reports, and other source documents, then type the information into a computer system.
- Check names, numbers, and account details against the original paperwork to catch missing fields and typos.
- Correct bad entries or send questionable records to a supervisor for review.
- Sort and store completed files so they can be found later.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read paper forms, invoices, reports, and other source documents, then type the information into a computer system.
02 Check names, numbers, and account details against the original paperwork to catch missing fields and typos.
03 Correct bad entries or send questionable records to a supervisor for review.
04 Sort and store completed files so they can be found later.
05 Keep simple logs of what was entered, corrected, or left unfinished during the shift.
06 Prepare documents and scanning equipment before starting a new batch of work.
Industries That Hire
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Banking and Financial Services
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo
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Insurance
State Farm, Allstate, Progressive
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Government and Public Records
Social Security Administration, IRS, U.S. Census Bureau
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Staffing and Business Services
Robert Half, Kelly Services, Randstad
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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It is one of the easier office jobs to enter because BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent and no work experience as the usual starting point.
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The work is clear and measurable: you can tell quickly whether records were entered correctly, which helps people who like straightforward tasks.
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You can often learn the job fast through short-term training instead of spending years in school.
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There are still about 9.5K annual openings, so people do leave the field even as it shrinks overall.
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The skills transfer well to records, billing, payroll, and other office roles if you want to move later.
Challenges
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The pay is modest, with a median annual wage of $39,850 and a mean of $42,070, so it can be hard to build long-term financial stability on this job alone.
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Employment is projected to fall 25.9% by 2034, dropping from 141.6K to 104.9K jobs, which is a major structural warning sign.
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Automation is a real threat because software can read, sort, and check many routine documents faster than people can.
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The work can be repetitive and closely monitored, so the job often rewards accuracy more than creativity or problem solving.
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Career growth can hit a ceiling unless you move into broader office, billing, or records work, because the role itself is narrow.
Career Progression
Clerical Assistant
0-2 years
$28K-$34K
Handles filing, basic office support, and simple information updates under close supervision.
Data Entry Keyer
1-4 years
$35K-$44K
Enters records, checks source documents, and fixes common errors while keeping up a steady pace.
Senior Data Entry Keyer THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$45K-$55K
Works through larger batches, handles trickier records, and may train newer staff on accuracy rules.
Data Quality Coordinator
7+ years
$56K-$70K
Oversees data checks, resolves recurring errors, and helps set standards for how records are entered and stored.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS lists this as the typical entry point, and workers usually learn the job through short-term on-the-job training.
Associate's degree in office administration, business, or a related field
O*NET shows an associate's degree as a common education pattern in this role, at 11.14% of workers.
Short-term on-the-job training
This is the main skills-building path for many hires and is often enough if you already type accurately and handle paperwork well.
Administrative support certificate
A certificate can help with keyboarding, spreadsheets, and records handling even though it is not the standard route into the job.
Key Skills
Technical
Document Review & Data Verification 66%
Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheets 62%
Data Entry Systems & Database Software 58%
Scanners, OCR & Document Imaging 54%
Records Management & Digital Filing 50%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoringTime ManagementWritingCritical Thinking Job Outlook and Trends
+-25.9%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
9.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 141.6K to 104.9 K over the next decade, representing -25.9% growth. Around 9.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.