Occupation salary profile

Data Entry Keyers

SOC 43-9021 BLS OEWS May 2025

Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing. Excludes “Word Processors and Typists” (43-9022).

National median · BLS
$41,340
▲ +3.74% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$43,310
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
127,080
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Data Entry Keyers

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$31,200
25th$35,760
Median (50th)$41,340
75th$48,410
90th — top pay$58,790

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Data Entry Keyers

BLS projects employment of data entry keyers to decline 25.5% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 7,700 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
131,800 → 98,200
-33,600 jobs
Projected change
-25.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
7,700
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.6% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Data Entry Keyers

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension3.6
  • Active Listening3.4
  • Monitoring3.3
  • Time Management3.0
  • Writing3.0
  • Complex Problem Solving2.9
  • Critical Thinking2.9
  • Speaking2.9
  • Active Learning2.8
  • Coordination2.8
Top knowledge areas
  • English Language4.8
  • Administrative4.6
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Law and Government3.5
  • Public Safety and Security2.9
  • Mathematics2.9
  • Computers and Electronics2.8
  • Administration and Management2.7
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordGoogle DocsIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft PowerPointSAP softwareBlackbaud The Raiser's EdgeData entry softwareDatabase softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareFaceTimeFileMaker ProGoogle DriveHealthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSIBM Informix

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What data entry keyers do

  • Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors.
  • Compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered.
  • Compare data with source documents, or re-enter data in verification format to detect errors.
  • Store completed documents in appropriate locations.
  • Select materials needed to complete work assignments.
  • Read source documents such as canceled checks, sales reports, or bills, and enter data in specific data fields or onto tapes or disks for subsequent entry, using keyboards or scanners.
  • Maintain logs of activities and completed work.
  • Load machines with required input or output media, such as paper, cards, disks, tape, or Braille media.
Also called
Data Capture SpecialistData Entry ClerkData Entry OperatorData TranscriberData Entry Machine OperatorData Entry SpecialistRecords ClerkUnderwriting Support Specialist
More job titles for this occupation (79)
Adjusto-Writer OperatorAutomatic OperatorBraille OperatorBraille TranscriberBraille TypistCard PuncherCard Punching Machine OperatorCheck ProcessorClaims Support SpecialistCold Type Composing Machine OperatorCompugraph OperatorComputer AideComputer ClerkComputer TypesetterCryptographic ClerkCryptographic Machine OperatorCustoms Entry ClerkData Capture ClerkData Coder OperatorData Collection AssociateData CollectorData Entry AssistantData Entry AssociateData Entry CoordinatorData Entry Email ProcessorData Entry RepresentativeData Entry TechnicianData Input ClerkData KeyerData Processing ClerkData ProcessorData TypistElectronic Typesetting Machine OperatorEncoderEncoding ClerkField Data CollectorFlex O Writer OperatorKey Punch OperatorKeying Machine OperatorKeypunch OperatorKeypuncherKST Operator (Key Station Terminal Operator)Linecasting Machine Keyboard OperatorMachine Clerical VerifierMagnetic Tape Composer OperatorMagnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter Operator (MTST Operator)Magnetic Tape Typewriter OperatorMail List ProcessorMedical Data Entry ClerkMicro Computer Data ProcessorMultiplex OperatorOffice Machine Punch OperatorPerforator OperatorPerforator TypistPhotocomposing Keyboard OperatorPhotocomposing Perforator Machine OperatorPhotocomposition Keyboard OperatorPlanograph OperatorPunch Card OperatorRetail Data CollectorRobotype OperatorSimplex OperatorStrike On Machine OperatorTeleprinterTeletype ClerkTeletype Keyboard OperatorTeletype OperatorTeletypewriter OperatorTeletypistTerminal Make Up OperatorTerminal OperatorTerminal System OperatorTWX Operator (Teletype Writer Exchange Operator)Typesetter OperatorVaritype Keyboard OperatorVaritype OperatorVaritypistVerifier OperatorVerifying Machine Operator

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.