How To Become A Data Entry Representative: What It Is and Career Path

What is a data entry representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Shaon Ghosh

A data entry representative is a person who enters data and information into a computer system or a database for storage and data management. These individuals are often responsible for digitizing paper records and entering information into a database for easier access and retrieval through computer systems. They prepare documents for data entry, check inaccuracies, and verify the information before entering it into a database. A data entry representative can work in a variety of fields, including healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Although an advanced degree is not needed for a position as a data entry representative, most employers do require a high school diploma or a GED, and candidates should have experience in using computers. These individuals should possess strong communication, analytical, and organization skills, and should be comfortable working with computers and databases.

A data entry representative can make up to $31,000 annually, but the career field is expected to shrink by 25% in the next 10 years.

What general advice would you give to a data entry representative?

Dr. Shaon Ghosh

Assistant Professor of Physics, Montclair State University

The advantage of working in a new, and potentially revolutionary, field is that there will be ample opportunities, but that also brings in a lot of competition. To remain relevant and to thrive in such fields we need to continuously update ourselves to the changing landscape of the field. Updating and adapting to changes in the field one is working in is a no-brainer, but it is especially relevant here because the field is going to rapidly change over the next decade; keeping ourself updated takes a bit of effort. So, the best advice to graduating students starting their career in data science or similar fields is not to stop being a "student".

Another important thing to remember is that most technical fields are highly collaborative, more so in the post-COVID-19 world where people have understood the value and concept of working remotely. Remote participation takes collaboration to a much higher level. We in the scientific research community have gotten used to it long ago, but it is a relatively new concept in many other areas. So, there are a few adjustments that one should be mindful of, especially if you are a recent graduate.

We often tend to operate as individuals at school where we are more concerned about our own grades and our own performances, but the value of you as a professional is very much dependent on how your team members perceive you. Are you the person who folks in your team are going to reach out to when they need some help? If you are, then you are more likely to rise to prominence and to the ranks of leadership.

ScoreData Entry RepresentativeUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,173

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

9.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 7.60%

Black or African American 9.55%

Hispanic or Latino 22.41%

Unknown 4.16%

White 55.71%

Gender

female 76.21%

male 23.79%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a data entry representative

Explore data entry representative education requirements

Most common data entry representative degrees

Bachelor's

27.9 %

High School Diploma

26.4 %

Associate

25.4 %

Start to develop specific data entry representative skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	13.19%
Outbound Calls	7.57%
Inbound Calls	6.71%
Company Database	6.66%
Patient Demographics	6.30%

Complete relevant data entry representative training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data entry representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a data entry representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data entry representative resumes.

Research data entry representative duties and responsibilities

Facilitate entry of customer data and payment information for Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance billing according to HIPAA guidelines.
Enter payroll information into EasyPay system AS400.
Update and add patient information into AS400 system.
Follow all HIPPA guidelines to help protect patients, clients and company information.

Prepare your data entry representative resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data entry representative resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a data entry representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable data entry representative resume templates

Build a professional data entry representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your data entry representative resume.