Post job

What is a key punch operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScoreKey Punch OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $35,146

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
9.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%

Asian 4.85%

Black or African American 12.38%

Hispanic or Latino 17.55%

Unknown 4.58%

White 59.87%

Gender

female 90.98%

male 9.02%

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 punch operator career paths

Key steps to become a key punch operator

  1. Explore key punch operator education requirements

    Most common key punch operator degrees

    Associate

    34.0 %

    High School Diploma

    24.0 %

    Bachelor's

    20.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific key punch operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Entry Support100.00%
  3. Complete relevant key punch operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New key punch operators 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 key punch operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real key punch operator resumes.
  4. Research key punch operator duties and responsibilities

    • Put up ends in card room, run cotton into tall barrels for making cloth.
    • Wrong/Mix number, discoloration, open tickets) -Packing tickets into a box and scanning the cds.
    • General secretarial duties, including answering multiple phone lines, travel/reservations, payroll and normal office operating responsibilities.
    • Answer phones giving diagnosis to physicians and students, type correspondence, manuscripts, and CVs for staff.
  5. Prepare your key punch operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your key punch operator 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 key punch operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable key punch operator resume templates

    Build a professional key punch operator 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 key punch operator resume.
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
    Key Punch Operator Resume
  6. Apply for key punch operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a key punch operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first key punch operator job

Zippi

Are you a key punch operator?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average key punch operator salary

The average key punch operator salary in the United States is $35,146 per year or $17 per hour. Key punch operator salaries range between $25,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average key punch operator salary
$35,146 Yearly
$16.90 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do key punch operators rate their job?

Working as a key punch operator? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs