Data processing clerk vs data entry specialist

The differences between data processing clerks 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 processing clerk and a data entry specialist. Additionally, a data entry specialist has an average salary of $32,392, 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 a data entry specialist are data entry, customer service, and computer database.

Data processing clerk vs data entry specialist overview

	Data Processing Clerk	Data Entry Specialist
Yearly salary	$31,621	$32,392
Hourly rate	$15.20	$15.57
Growth rate	-5%	-
Number of jobs	156,581	89,081
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Data processing clerk vs data entry specialist salary

Data processing clerks and data entry specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Processing Clerk	Data Entry Specialist
Average salary	$31,621	$32,392
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $24,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Illinois	Alaska
Best paying company	TPI	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between data processing clerk and data entry specialist education

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

	Data Processing Clerk	Data Entry Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Data processing clerk vs data entry specialist demographics

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

	Data Processing Clerk	Data Entry Specialist
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3%	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
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, 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%

Differences between data processing clerk and data entry specialist 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.

Data entry specialist example responsibilities.

Manage FedEx account; send and receive large volume of tax and accounting paperwork.
Enter ten-key data; fastest keystrokes reach 104 wpm.
Land Venezuela 1- 2D and 3D designer perform processing and QC for land acquisition seismic.
Used SQL scripts to process automate crack and lane detection on files that require it.
Enter bank account information on individual life policies in Guard-O-Matic (ACH) payment plan.
Fill a bin/tray/tray/box with complete packets then place it in the designated area to await QC.

Data processing clerk vs data entry specialist 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 data entry specialist skills

Data Entry, 25%
Customer Service, 16%
Computer Database, 12%
Computer System, 4%
WPM, 4%
Charge Entry, 3%

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Data Processing Clerk
Data Processing Clerk vs Data Entry Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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