Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between data entry operators and data entry specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a data entry specialist has an average salary of $32,392, 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 specialist are data entry, customer service, and computer database.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,286 | $32,392 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $15.57 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 93,965 | 89,081 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| 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.
A data entry specialist is responsible for filling data in a database or platform with precision and speed. There are instances when a data entry specialist must convert files and input information using particular devices or scanners. There are also situations where one has printed materials as a source, such as billing information, data logs, and other forms of documentation. Furthermore, a data entry specialist can also be in charge of regular correspondence, spreadsheet maintenance, and other data-related administrative tasks.
Data entry operators and data entry specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,286 | $32,392 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $24,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Intelliswift | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a data entry operator and a data entry specialist in terms of educational background:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 29% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between data entry operators' and data entry specialists' demographics:
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8% | Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2% |
| 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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 7.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |