Data processing clerk vs accounting clerk

The differences between data processing clerks and accounting clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a data processing clerk, becoming an accounting clerk takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an accounting clerk has an average salary of $38,683, which is higher than the $31,621 average annual salary of a data processing clerk.

The top three skills for a data processing clerk include data processing, data entry errors and computer database. The most important skills for an accounting clerk are data entry, customer service, and purchase orders.

Data processing clerk vs accounting clerk overview

	Data Processing Clerk	Accounting Clerk
Yearly salary	$31,621	$38,683
Hourly rate	$15.20	$18.60
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	156,581	106,969
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	51
Years of experience	2	6

Data processing clerk vs accounting clerk salary

Data processing clerks and accounting clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Processing Clerk	Accounting Clerk
Average salary	$31,621	$38,683
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $29,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Illinois	New York
Best paying company	TPI	Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker Llp
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between data processing clerk and accounting clerk education

There are a few differences between a data processing clerk and an accounting clerk in terms of educational background:

	Data Processing Clerk	Accounting Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	-	University of Pennsylvania

Data processing clerk vs accounting clerk demographics

Here are the differences between data processing clerks' and accounting clerks' demographics:

	Data Processing Clerk	Accounting Clerk
Average age	44	51
Gender ratio	Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3%	Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	7%

Differences between data processing clerk and accounting clerk duties and responsibilities

Data processing clerk example responsibilities.

Manage daily operations of ACH payments and research errors in different internal and external databases that prevent payments from transferring.
Perform DMV and NCIC queries on defendants and petitioners to obtain accurate driver's license and demographic information.
Key all labor reports into AS400 system.
Input all credit/debit card charges, and check information into QuickBooks.
Receive orders from customers, enter billing into AS400 system, and invoice the customer's orders.
Verify, update, and enter invoices, credits, vendor information, purchase orders, payroll, and pick tickets.

Accounting clerk example responsibilities.

Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
Perform balance sheet reconciliations and resolve open items by notifying employees and vendors of transaction discrepancies.
Assist in monthly financial close process by analyzing preliminary departmental expense reports and making necessary adjustments and accruals.
Develop a spreadsheet that pulls all data relate to project hours by operation from the ERP system.
Process all incoming payments receive via ACH, EFT, or the web; ensure accounts are accurately balance and reconcile.
Digitize proof of delivery receipts into ERP system (AS400) serving as an easy backup for employees to verify occurrence.

Data processing clerk vs accounting clerk skills

Common data processing clerk skills

Data Processing, 29%
Data Entry Errors, 9%
Computer Database, 8%
Invoice Data, 8%
Computer System, 7%
Sales Orders, 5%

Common accounting clerk skills

Data Entry, 15%
Customer Service, 10%
Purchase Orders, 9%
Reconciliations, 6%
Vendor Invoices, 6%
QuickBooks, 3%

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Data Processing Clerk
Data Processing Clerk vs Accounting Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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