How much does a data entry clerk make?
Answer: A typical data entry clerk in the United States makes $41,340 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 127,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Data entry clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,200 | $41,340 | $58,790 | about 127,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $47,560 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $47,480 | about 1,000 |
| Utah | $47,180 | about 2,000 |
| California | $47,010 | about 15,000 |
| New York | $44,860 | about 9,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and useful skills, the employer or industry, and where the job is. Hours worked and harder or more responsible tasks can also matter; some employers may value extra credentials.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a data entry clerk do?
Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing. Excludes “Word Processors and Typists” (43-9022).
What's a typical day like?
They read forms such as bills or checks, then type or scan the details into the right computer fields. They sort and check the information, fix mistakes, and save finished records.
How to get this job
In the United States, you usually need a high school diploma or GED, and some jobs ask for little or no experience. Employers often train new workers on the job, from a few days up to a year.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.
Did you know?
Some data entry keyers enter information again in a special checking format to catch mistakes—so the job can involve more than typing it once.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Office and Administrative Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-9021.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/43-9021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439021.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY