Data entry clerks usually earn between $24k and $40k per year depending on where they work and their experience level. The average data entry clerk salary is $32,000 per year. The median wage for the job, however, is about $15.81/hour. Keep in mind these rates are heavily influenced by location, so your individual salary will vary. Because it’s an entry-level position, you should expect to start at the bottom of that range, but you can expect to climb quickly as you gain more experience.
Data entry clerks are in charge of entering data from a source document into a computerized database. Data is then retrieved from the database and used for reports, analyses, or other purposes. This can be an exciting career opportunity because there’s always something new to learn about with each company you work for. In this article, we will go over what skills are needed to become a data entry clerk as well as what they do at their job every day.
Data entry clerks usually work in a data processing center. They are responsible for entering information into a computerized database which can include customer records, inventory details, and mailing lists.
A lot of the time, you will be working at your desk in front of multiple computer screens. It can become very tiring to look from one screen to another, so it’s important that you are able to focus. The job does offer a bit of variety because you can work on different projects at one time, including entering data, performing queries and retrieving information from the database.
It is common for data entry clerks to work from home when they are performing simple tasks such as entering customer information into a web-based application. If you aren’t able to get the software set up in your own house, then you will probably have to do a lot of your work on-site.
You must have good time management skills because you will be working on multiple projects at once and meeting deadlines. Working from home can be very difficult because distractions are everywhere.
It’s important to have strong computer skills, including a good typing speed and knowledge of the different software programs.
You should be very patient because data entry clerks deal with a lot of information, so completing tasks can be time-consuming. You also need to be able to pay attention to detail as small mistakes can lead to large errors as the information entered gets processed, analyzed, and used for various business operations.
Organization skills are also very important because you will be managing multiple projects at once while also maintaining them.
Finally, if you are bilingual, it’s a big plus. Many companies might need the data to be accessible to and usable by people who speak other languages.
The specific responsibilities of this job will vary from company to company, but some common duties might be:
In order to become a data entry clerk, you must have good attention to detail. You should enjoy working on computers and be proficient with Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, etc. A high school diploma is a minimum requirement for this position, but college experience will certainly help your chances of getting hired.
In some cases, you can begin as a trainee data entry clerk. In other situations, however, it is necessary to have previous experience to land the job. If you are just beginning your career, it is helpful if you have some experience in a similar position before applying for data entry clerk jobs. It’s not necessary to have any education beyond high school, but college provides more opportunities and might help with advancement down the road.
In most cases, you must be at least 18 years of age to work in this position. There are some exceptions, and it would be a good idea to check with the company before applying for a data entry position. In addition, it is often necessary to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. However, if you have a work permit or your GED or equivalent, it is possible to find work doing basic data entry tasks.
The interview process is going to vary from company to company, but in most cases, you will have a series of interviews with different people. The first person that you might meet with is the manager or director. In some cases, they may ask general questions about your skills and experience as well as what type of goals you hope to achieve while working for this company.
The amount of training that you get will vary based on the company. Some companies provide extensive training for new employees, while others might only offer a few days of orientation before throwing their staff into the mix. Data entry clerks need to learn how to use different computer programs, especially ones related to data management and formatting reports or proposals.
It is also a good idea for data entry clerks to excel at organization skills because it will make the entire process go much more smoothly. For instance, if you have multiple projects going on at once, then there’s a good chance that you will be working with several different people. It is important to keep everyone updated on your progress and make sure they are aware of any issues or potential problems.
The programs that you need to know will depend on the company that you are working with. However, it is very common for people in this position to use Microsoft Office applications such as Word or Excel. It’s also a good idea if they have experience using database management tools and spreadsheets because many companies require their employees to maintain these types of tools.