Data Entry Keyers: Salary Overview
Data entry keyers operate data entry devices, verify data, and prepare materials for printing.
Their job description typically includes compiling and sorting the data before entering it, comparing the data with source documents to make sure it is accurately entered, entering data using keyboards or scanners, storing the documents created and maintaining records of the completed work.
Data entry specialists may work in a variety of fields, from employment services to oil and gas extraction.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for data entry keyers was $33,490 as of May 2019.
This means that half the workers in this profession earned less than this and half earned more.
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Salaries in this field vary depending on a variety of factors such as the employee’s experience and education but also the industry and the region of employment.
The top 10 percent of data entry keyers earned more than $49,190 per year while the lowest 10 percent made less than $23,380.
Data Entry Keyer Salary by Industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data entry keyers held approximately 160,000 jobs in the United States in May 2019, most of them being employed in the field of employment services.
The employment services industry provides human resources services to businesses; these services may include providing temporary workers, helping employers find employees that are fit for a specific job, and more.
Data entry keyers who worked in this field earned, on average, $33,050 per year.
Businesses that provide data processing, hosting, and related services paid data entry keyers, on average, with $32,420.
Data entry keyers who worked for companies that provide accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services reported an average annual wage of $33,100.
The average annual wage was $40,830 for data entry keyers who worked for local governments and $33,810 for those who worked for elementary and secondary schools.
The report published by BLS shows that the highest average wage was reported by data entry keyers who worked in the fields of natural gas distribution and aerospace products and parts manufacturing.
However, the highest paying fields hired only a few data entry keyers so we are safe to say that job openings in these industries don’t occur very often.
The natural gas distribution sector paid data entry keyers, on average, with $46,690 per year.
Data entry keyers who worked for aerospace products and parts manufacturing earned, on average, $45,270.
The postal service field paid data entry keyers with $43,430 per year, on average.
Data entry keyers who worked in the field of apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesaler reported an average annual salary of $44,040.
The oil and gas extraction field paid data entry keyers, on average, with $43,340 per year.
Data Entry Keyer Salary by Level of Experience
Salaries for data entry keyers vary not only based upon the industry of employment but also based on their level of experience.
As an entry-level data entry keyer, you should expect to earn less than $23,380- which is the 10th percentile for this profession.
After gaining around 5 years of experience your wage may move closer to the 25th percentile, or $27,700.
Mid-level data entry keyers may earn a wage that is close to the median for this profession.
The most experienced 25 percent of data entry keyers reported an annual wage that is higher than $39,850 and only the most experienced 10 percent made more than $49,190.
In conclusion, this profession doesn’t offer very high wages, especially for entry-level employees but if you want to earn a higher-than-average salary you should first earn a few years of experience and a degree or diploma in a related field.
* Based on information from the May 2021 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Data Entry Keyers. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.