Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.
Data Entry Keyers
SOC: 43-9021 O*NET: 43-9021.00
Median Salary
$39,850
per year
Job Growth
📉 -25.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
9.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.
What does a Data Entry Keyers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,100
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,900
25th percentile
Median
$39,850
50th percentile
Experienced
$47,260
75th percentile
Top Earners
$56,930
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,100
25th
$34,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,850
Mean: $42,070
75th
$47,260
90th
$56,930
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,830 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,900 and $47,260
- •Salary spread is 31.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 135,280 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:141,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services17.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-25.9%
Annual Openings:9,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)141,600
Current
2034 (Projected)104,900
-25.9%
-36,700
Employment Change
-25.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Data Entry Keyers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
19,950 jobs$37,1801.64x
California
14,040 jobs$45,6800.89x
New York
9,890 jobs$42,9901.18x
Florida
9,280 jobs$38,1001.08x
Pennsylvania
7,350 jobs$42,4001.39x
Illinois
6,680 jobs$39,4501.26x
Ohio
5,450 jobs$39,8101.12x
New Jersey
5,240 jobs$43,4801.40x
North Carolina
4,110 jobs$38,5800.96x
Arizona
3,750 jobs$42,8001.34x
Georgia
3,100 jobs$39,8000.73x
Virginia
3,000 jobs$38,1300.84x
Michigan
2,980 jobs$38,5700.77x
Indiana
2,690 jobs$39,8000.96x
Wisconsin
2,610 jobs$38,7401.02x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
86%
#3
Monitoring
70%
#4
Writing
56%
#5
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Writing
basic2.8
56%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Writing
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners83%
5 shared skills
Word Processors and Typists83%
5 shared skills
Billing and Posting Clerks63%
5 shared skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks63%
5 shared skills
Medical Transcriptionists63%
5 shared skills
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic57%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Data Entry Keyers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
9
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Read source documents such as canceled checks, sales reports, or bills, and enter data in specific data fields or onto tapes or disks for subsequent entry, using keyboards or scanners.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Compare data with source documents, or re-enter data in verification format to detect errors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Store completed documents in appropriate locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Maintain logs of activities and completed work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Select materials needed to complete work assignments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Load machines with required input or output media, such as paper, cards, disks, tape, or Braille media.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Resolve garbled or indecipherable messages, using cryptographic procedures and equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •78% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Data Entry Keyers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Data Entry Keyers professionals typically have a CRI Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Data Entry Keyers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.94
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.86
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.80
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.65
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.64
Achievement/Effort
CriticalAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Independence
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Achievement/Effort
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Concern for Others
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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