Data Entry: What Is It and How Much Does It Pay?

Data entry is the process of taking information and transferring it into a digital format. In plain English, that often means typing it into a spreadsheet, a database, or an online form of some sort.

Organizing and processing data is crucial to running almost any type of business, which is why data entry jobs are available in a variety of industries, including finance, retail, healthcare, and software and technology.

Data entry jobs are often quite flexible. While you can certainly find traditional on-site, salaried jobs, it isn’t uncommon for companies to hire freelancers or allow their employees to work virtually.

This means that, in many cases, data entry is a great home-based side hustle that can be done remotely and on a flexible schedule.

What requirements do you need to meet to do data entry?

Data entry jobs generally don’t require specific credentials or prior work experience. However, you should have the following skills to succeed:

• Attention to detail: Although data entry is a simple task, you must be focused and attentive to ensure you type the information accurately.
• Organization: Data entry jobs usually require you to handle several files containing different data at once. It’s important to be organized to avoid mixing up information.
• Time management: In addition, you need to be able to plan and stay on top of your schedule to meet your deadlines (which may sometimes be quite tight).
• Collecting data: Depending on the job, you may be responsible for conducting research and gathering data in addition to simply entering it.
• Typing speed: As typing is the core of the job, many employers will ask you to pass a typing test to ensure your speed and accuracy meet their expectations. Try to aim for a typing speed of 45–75 words per minute (WPM).
• Proofreading: Ensuring your work is free of errors is just as important as importing large amounts of data. To do so, you’ll need to proofread your work before handing it in.
• Basic computer proficiency: The job requires you to be familiar with basic office software (e.g., the Microsoft Office software suite, particularly Excel).
• Communication: Whether you work on-site or remotely, you need to communicate clearly with your manager and coworkers, giving them clear updates on your progress.
• Discretion: As a data entry worker, you may handle information that you’ll need to keep confidential. Obviously, having enough discretion and self-control to do this is a must.

When most people think of data entry, the first jobs that come to mind are data entry clerks (sometimes called “specialists”).

If you have an image in your head of a data entry worker who reads information from one source and repeatedly enters it into a spreadsheet, you’re thinking of a clerk or specialist.

On average, data entry clerks earn around $15–$20 per hour, although there’s a certain amount of variability; some jobs pay as little as $10 per hour, whereas more senior clerks sometimes earn up to $30 per hour.

Note that this isn’t the only type of data entry job out there. Many other jobs involve data entry, and some of them have a higher hourly rate than data entry clerk roles. We’ll go over the most common data entry jobs below.

The following jobs all require you to have data entry skills:

Data entry clerk or specialist

Average rates: $15–$20 per hour

As mentioned, data entry clerk and data entry specialist are interchangeable titles. A data entry clerk’s responsibility is to accurately enter data within a certain timeframe. Other duties often include:

• Gathering and sorting data
• Organizing files
• Backing up databases
• Checking for and fixing incorrect database entries

Data processor

Average rates: $20 per hour

A data processor focuses on analyzing and interpreting data to gain insights into a certain topic (e.g., marketing trends or customer preferences).

Although it isn’t their main job, data processors may be tasked with entering fresh data as well, such as when they’re updating or correcting information.

Transcriptionist

Average rates: $25 per hour

Transcription can technically be considered a form of data entry, although not everyone thinks of it that way.

A transcriptionist listens to audio files, videos, or live speeches, and types out what they hear, converting the “data” into written text. They can specialize in a niche, such as by becoming a medical transcriptionist or a legal transcriptionist.

As with becoming a data entry clerk, becoming a transcriptionist requires you to pay attention to detail, be able to focus for long periods of time, and have good keyboarding skills.

Virtual assistant

Average rates: $25 per hour

Virtual assistants (VAs) are what they sound like—people who help their clients (who may be individuals or businesses) manage their affairs on a remote basis.

If you want to become a virtual assistant and land clients, you should be prepared to multitask and use certain time-tracking tools for VAs. You’ll be handling various work-related tasks for your employer, which may range from processing invoices and making appointments to fielding calls and managing social media accounts.

As with transcriptionists, there are many niches in this field. For instance, you can specialize and become a Pinterest virtual assistant or a real estate virtual assistant.

Data entry is among the many must-have skills for virtual assistants. Common data you’ll deal with as a VA includes customer information, payments, orders, and business reports.

Receptionist

Average rates: $20 per hour

A receptionist works at the front desk of a company and handles a variety of administrative tasks throughout the day.

Receptionists are known for duties like fielding and transferring calls, welcoming customers, and taking messages, but they also sometimes take on data entry duties (often in between other, more customer-centric tasks).

Medical coding specialist

Average rates: $30 per hour

A medical coding specialist manages patient information and payments for healthcare facilities.

Their job is to correctly code medical diagnoses, procedures, and services, then enter this data into a system that stores patient records. They also have to monitor and update the data afterwards, all while ensuring it remains confidential.

In addition, medical coding specialists are also responsible for helping their facilities handle billing statements and submit reimbursement claims to insurance companies and government payers.

This is the only data entry job on this list that requires you to have formal credentials. You’ll need a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree, as well as a relevant certification (usually one of the following):

• The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Data entry is one of the easier side hustle options, as typing ability is the only hard skill you need to master when it comes down to it. The other skills we listed—attention to detail and organization—are soft skills that almost anybody can pick up.

Data entry is by no means a perfect gig (it does entail a lot of painstaking, repetitive work). However, if you’re looking for remote jobs that require no paid work experience, then starting a side hustle doing data entry work can be a great fit for you.

Tips for getting a data entry job

There are many places to find remote data entry jobs, such as freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, which many people turn to when they start their freelancing journey.

To increase your chances, follow these tips:

• Practice typing: Again, typing is the main skill you need to have to succeed in this field. Luckily, you can improve very quickly by putting in a lot of practice.
• Improve your language skills: Expand your vocabulary and improve your grammar and spelling skills. Doing so will help you minimize errors when you enter word-based data.
• Get comfortable with technology: You need to be familiar with relevant software and know how to use basic office equipment (e.g., scanners and printers).
• Work on your communication: Almost all data entry jobs require you to communicate effectively with other people, whether they’re clients, coworkers, or your employer. Pay attention to how you come across and make sure you follow professional norms.

The good news is that all of these skills carry over to other fields (being tech-savvy and good at talking to people is necessary in almost any white-collar job). Not only will developing them make you a more competitive candidate for data entry jobs, it will also benefit you in your main career.