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The differences between data entry operators 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 data entry operator and a data entry clerk. Additionally, a data entry clerk has an average salary of $31,582, 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 clerk are data entry, customer service, and computer database.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $31,286 | $31,582 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $15.18 |
| Growth rate | - | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 93,965 | 132,345 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| 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 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.
Data entry operators and data entry clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Clerk | |
| Average salary | $31,286 | $31,582 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $25,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Intelliswift | General Dynamics Mission Systems |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a data entry operator and a data entry clerk in terms of educational background:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between data entry operators' and data entry clerks' demographics:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Clerk | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8% | Male, 19.9% Female, 80.1% |
| 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, 10.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |