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Mail clerk vs data entry associate

The differences between mail clerks and data entry associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a data entry associate has an average salary of $36,084, which is higher than the $30,383 average annual salary of a mail clerk.

The top three skills for a mail clerk include customer service, delivery sequence and place packages. The most important skills for a data entry associate are customer service, computer database, and data entry.

Mail clerk vs data entry associate overview

Mail ClerkData Entry Associate
Yearly salary$30,383$36,084
Hourly rate$14.61$17.35
Growth rate-6%-8%
Number of jobs80,56089,880
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4544
Years of experience-2

What does a mail clerk do?

A mail clerk is responsible for sorting and processing mails for the business. Mail clerks' duties include maintenance of mailing supplies by regularly monitoring inventory, forwarding incoming mails and safe packages to appropriate departments, labeling outgoing mails with secured packaging, keeping records of acknowledged mails, and returning misdirected mails to the correct recipient. A mail clerk must be detail-oriented, as well as having strong organizational and multi-tasking skills to arrange deliveries, operate mailing machines, and categorize efficiently.

What does a data entry associate do?

Data entry associates are a group of professionals using computers and data processing programs to supply information into a database or documentation platform or to transcribe data via phone conversations or recordings. They can multitask effectively with excellent verbal and written communication skills and perform repetitive tasks accurately with excellent attention to detail. Part of their task is to maintain the database by encoding new and updated customer account information by preparing source data for computer entry, compiling, and sorting information. To be effective, typing speed and accuracy must be considered.

Mail clerk vs data entry associate salary

Mail clerks and data entry associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mail ClerkData Entry Associate
Average salary$30,383$36,084
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $41,000Between $21,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkAstraZeneca
Best paying industryRetailFinance

Differences between mail clerk and data entry associate education

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

Mail ClerkData Entry Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Mail clerk vs data entry associate demographics

Here are the differences between mail clerks' and data entry associates' demographics:

Mail ClerkData Entry Associate
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 50.7% Female, 49.3%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 6.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage7%5%

Differences between mail clerk and data entry associate duties and responsibilities

Mail clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage files, prepare lobby monitor presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Identify, analyze and sort tax forms, checks and vouchers submit to the IRS by individuals and businesses.
  • Prepare all documents and packages for shipment via FedEx, DHL, & GSO.
  • Process payroll and pay adjustments.
  • Operate and troubleshoot form letter inserter.
  • Place larger packages on porch or doorstep.
  • Show more

Data entry associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage client s files and communicate confidential information to approve agencies and caregivers according to HIPAA regulations.
  • Provide third-party medical billing; entering ICD-9, CPT codes, and insurance information into medically-based computer system.
  • Process payroll data, data entry applications and retirement fund contributions.
  • Perform a variety of duties associate with entering of prescription information into computer system require to process prescription orders for patients.
  • Provide 10-key and maintain a 40 wpm average.
  • Collaborate with a team to triage and prioritize the right work at the right time.
  • Show more

Mail clerk vs data entry associate skills

Common mail clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Delivery Sequence, 17%
  • Place Packages, 10%
  • Mail Room, 5%
  • Postal Regulations, 5%
  • Mail Containers, 5%
Common data entry associate skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Computer Database, 12%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Computer System, 7%
  • Payroll, 3%
  • WPM, 3%

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