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

What is a data processor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A data processor organizes, transfers, and processes personal data for a company or an organization. A data processor's duties include verifying the information in all documents, updating documents format, and processing incoming documents. They also generate and maintain backup files of organization transactions, maintain files and records, validate the accuracy of company insurance applications through internet-based research, and create detailed reports on company data use and management. Plus, data processors update document format, complete all data entries to fulfill regulatory requirements.

A good data processor must possess excellent typing skills and knowledge of Microsoft office software tools. Attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and the ability to work with a team is also needed by a data processor. The minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma, but an associate or bachelor's degree in computer science, data processing, or related fields would give you an edge over others. The median annual salary of a data processor is $32,182 per year.

ScoreData ProcessorUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,076

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

9.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 8.53%

Black or African American 9.91%

Hispanic or Latino 20.71%

Unknown 4.19%

White 56.08%

Gender

female 68.75%

male 31.25%

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 processor

Explore data processor education requirements

Most common data processor degrees

Bachelor's

40.4 %

Associate

24.6 %

High School Diploma

20.0 %

Start to develop specific data processor skills

Skills	Percentages
Computer Database	17.54%
Data Processing	16.26%
Financial Data	5.15%
Data Entry	4.99%
Computer System	4.98%

Complete relevant data processor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data processors 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 processor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data processor resumes.

Research data processor duties and responsibilities

Manage and prepare pharmaceutical records for multiple FDA audits.
Research the CPT coding manual and edit reference codes from CMS.
Utilize knowledge of diagnosis codes and CPT codes to prevent denial of claim.
Process Medicare and Medicaid papers.

Prepare your data processor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data processor 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 processor 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 processor resume templates

Build a professional data processor 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 processor resume.