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The differences between data entry specialists and 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 specialist and a clerk. Additionally, a data entry specialist has an average salary of $32,392, which is higher than the $31,163 average annual salary of a clerk.
The top three skills for a data entry specialist include data entry, customer service and computer database. The most important skills for a clerk are basic math, math, and data entry.
| Data Entry Specialist | Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $32,392 | $31,163 |
| Hourly rate | $15.57 | $14.98 |
| Growth rate | - | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 89,081 | 80,311 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.
Data entry specialists and clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Entry Specialist | Clerk | |
| Average salary | $32,392 | $31,163 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $42,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | DeWitt LLP Law Firm | University of Massachusetts Boston |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a data entry specialist and a clerk in terms of educational background:
| Data Entry Specialist | Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between data entry specialists' and clerks' demographics:
| Data Entry Specialist | Clerk | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |