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Clerk specialist vs data entry clerk

The differences between clerks specialist and data entry clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clerk specialist and a data entry clerk. Additionally, a clerk specialist has an average salary of $34,038, which is higher than the $31,582 average annual salary of a data entry clerk.

The top three skills for a clerk specialist include data entry, office equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a data entry clerk are data entry, customer service, and computer database.

Clerk specialist vs data entry clerk overview

Clerk SpecialistData Entry Clerk
Yearly salary$34,038$31,582
Hourly rate$16.36$15.18
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs90,967132,345
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4744
Years of experience22

What does a clerk specialist do?

A Clerk Specialist is an information clerk that people can refer to when they have inquiries. Businesses place the Clerk Specialist under the umbrella of a receptionist and are often highly knowledgeable of company policies, provide solutions to problems, and handle customer complaints. A Clerk Specialist's main requirements are strong interpersonal communication skills and a high tolerance when under pressure.

What does a data entry clerk do?

Data entry clerks are employees who work on the proper documentation of the data sets within the organization. They are responsible for copying in or typing in items from a source to the company database. In doing so, they provide and validate essential information to the organization. Data entry clerks are expected to assess the data and ensure that they are correct before logging them into the company database. They are required to have good attention to detail, to be able to type swiftly and accurately, and to be able to work with minimal supervision.

Clerk specialist vs data entry clerk salary

Clerks specialist and data entry clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clerk SpecialistData Entry Clerk
Average salary$34,038$31,582
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityProvidence, RIWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyLifespanGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems
Best paying industryEnergyFinance

Differences between clerk specialist and data entry clerk education

There are a few differences between a clerk specialist and a data entry clerk in terms of educational background:

Clerk SpecialistData Entry Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina University-

Clerk specialist vs data entry clerk demographics

Here are the differences between clerks specialist' and data entry clerks' demographics:

Clerk SpecialistData Entry Clerk
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 22.7% Female, 77.3%Male, 19.9% Female, 80.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between clerk specialist and data entry clerk duties and responsibilities

Clerk specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage orthopedic accounts regarding payment posting through IDX medical systems.
  • Assist in preliminary budget, preparation; prepare departmental payroll, statistical data and reports.
  • Check visitation/meeting rooms for cleanliness; print daily visitation/meeting room schedules; and escort parents/attendees to visitation/meeting rooms.
  • Answer phones with the ability to provide accurate information and education on the communicability and disease process of tuberculosis.

Data entry clerk example responsibilities.

  • Prepare, maintain and manage PowerPoint presentations.
  • Enter contractual data into AS400 computer terminal, implementing alphanumeric and 10-key data entry.
  • Work in multiple windows to process information.
  • Create a backup copy for one specific table on the SQL database.
  • Process radiology reports into MDIV program while meeting department month- end billing cycle.
  • Establish the ability to type approximately 58 wpm and type 10 key by touch.
  • Show more

Clerk specialist vs data entry clerk skills

Common clerk specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 18%
  • Office Equipment, 15%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Computer System, 5%
Common data entry clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 23%
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Computer Database, 12%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Word Processing, 5%
  • WPM, 3%

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