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The differences between data entry operators and data entry associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a data entry operator and a data entry associate. Additionally, a data entry associate has an average salary of $36,084, which is higher than the $31,286 average annual salary of a data entry operator.
The top three skills for a data entry operator include data entry equipment, customer service and computer database. The most important skills for a data entry associate are customer service, computer database, and data entry.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,286 | $36,084 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $17.35 |
| Growth rate | - | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 93,965 | 89,880 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A data entry operator is someone responsible for entering collected information into a database using different computer software. Data entry duties include updating customer data, transcribing information, and entering accounting records. Also, it is their responsibility to organize collected data and maintain their accurate record on the database so it can be accessed at any time. Data operators must be proficient in typing skills, keen to details and able to manage a large amount of data. They must also be familiar with using spreadsheets, along with other word processing programs.
Data entry associates are a group of professionals using computers and data processing programs to supply information into a database or documentation platform or to transcribe data via phone conversations or recordings. They can multitask effectively with excellent verbal and written communication skills and perform repetitive tasks accurately with excellent attention to detail. Part of their task is to maintain the database by encoding new and updated customer account information by preparing source data for computer entry, compiling, and sorting information. To be effective, typing speed and accuracy must be considered.
Data entry operators and data entry associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,286 | $36,084 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $21,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | Intelliswift | AstraZeneca |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a data entry operator and a data entry associate in terms of educational background:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between data entry operators' and data entry associates' demographics:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8% | Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |