Key operator vs data entry clerk

The differences between key operators and data entry 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 key operator and a data entry clerk. Additionally, a key operator has an average salary of $36,162, which is higher than the $31,582 average annual salary of a data entry clerk.

The top three skills for a key operator include data entry, xerox and photoshop. The most important skills for a data entry clerk are data entry, customer service, and computer database.

Key operator vs data entry clerk overview

	Key Operator	Data Entry Clerk
Yearly salary	$36,162	$31,582
Hourly rate	$17.39	$15.18
Growth rate	-8%	-5%
Number of jobs	39,708	132,345
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Key operator vs data entry clerk salary

Key operators and data entry clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Key Operator	Data Entry Clerk
Average salary	$36,162	$31,582
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $44,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	General Dynamics Mission Systems
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between key operator and data entry clerk education

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

	Key Operator	Data Entry Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Key operator vs data entry clerk demographics

Here are the differences between key operators' and data entry clerks' demographics:

	Key Operator	Data Entry Clerk
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%	Male, 19.9% Female, 80.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 9.4% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between key operator and data entry clerk duties and responsibilities

Key operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Perform bindery functions using spiral, velo, and GBC bindery equipment.
Complete bindery for print jobs including cutting, folding, drilling and collating.
Perform one or more bindery operation such as collating, shrink-wrap, lamination, paper cutting and stock.
Balance general ledger accounts, verify accuracy and enter transactions into CRT.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

Data entry clerk example responsibilities.

Prepare, maintain and manage PowerPoint presentations.
Enter contractual data into AS400 computer terminal, implementing alphanumeric and 10-key data entry.
Work in multiple windows to process information.
Create a backup copy for one specific table on the SQL database.
Process radiology reports into MDIV program while meeting department month- end billing cycle.
Establish the ability to type approximately 58 wpm and type 10 key by touch.

Key operator vs data entry clerk skills

Common key operator skills

Data Entry, 24%
Xerox, 12%
Photoshop, 8%
Computer System, 5%
Customer Orders, 3%
Windows, 3%

Common data entry clerk skills

Data Entry, 23%
Customer Service, 19%
Computer Database, 12%
Computer System, 6%
Word Processing, 5%
WPM, 3%