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Postal clerk vs data entry associate

The differences between postal clerks and data entry associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a postal clerk has an average salary of $38,239, which is higher than the $36,084 average annual salary of a data entry associate.

The top three skills for a postal clerk include customer service, postal service and postage rates. The most important skills for a data entry associate are customer service, computer database, and data entry.

Postal clerk vs data entry associate overview

Postal ClerkData Entry Associate
Yearly salary$38,239$36,084
Hourly rate$18.38$17.35
Growth rate-6%-8%
Number of jobs93,10189,880
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age5244
Years of experience-2

What does a postal clerk do?

A postal clerk is responsible for organizing mails for delivery and categorizing other mailroom supplies. Postal clerks sort mail and packages, verify the accurate addresses, and deliver to the correct location. They also operate various postal tools and equipment for labeling documents and weighing parcels. A postal clerk must be highly communicative and organizational, especially on responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about their deliveries and handling fragile packages with utmost care to avoid complications and operational delays.

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.

Postal clerk vs data entry associate salary

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

Postal ClerkData Entry Associate
Average salary$38,239$36,084
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $21,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityProvidence, RIWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityAstraZeneca
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between postal clerk and data entry associate education

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

Postal ClerkData Entry Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Postal clerk vs data entry associate demographics

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

Postal ClerkData Entry Associate
Average age5244
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage10%5%

Differences between postal clerk and data entry associate duties and responsibilities

Postal clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage $24K official mail account, expertly track expenditures ultimately saving the DoD $1K with little to no supervision.
  • Maintain cleanliness of the company warehouse, operate warehouse machinery and organize the warehouse to ensure proper product placement.
  • Assist with various duties including spreadsheet development, payroll information and data population.

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

Postal clerk vs data entry associate skills

Common postal clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Postal Service, 20%
  • Postage Rates, 11%
  • ZIP Codes, 4%
  • USPS, 4%
  • Mail Delivery, 3%
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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