Who Earns What

How much does a data entry clerk make?

US Data Entry Keyers
$41,340

a year · about $20 an hour

A typical data entry clerk in the United States makes $41,340 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

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.

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.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$41,340
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $31,200 and $58,790
56 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

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.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing

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.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Massachusetts ($47,560), lowest in Arkansas ($33,860).

See every state
Whole US$41,340
Massachusetts$47,560
Washington$47,480
Utah$47,180
California$47,010
New York$44,860
Alabama$35,130
Mississippi$34,540
Arkansas$33,860

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Data entry clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$31,200$41,340$58,790about 127,000
States where data entry clerks earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Massachusetts$47,560about 2,000
Washington$47,480about 1,000
Utah$47,180about 2,000
California$47,010about 15,000
New York$44,860about 9,000

Official definition: 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).

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY