Data Entry Clerk salary

The median pay for a data entry clerk nationally is $19.88 an hour — about $41,340 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for U.S. (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most data entry clerks nationally earn between $15.00 an hour and $28.26 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $15.00 an hour. A quarter of data entry clerks earn below $17.19 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band. This is a role employers routinely fill with people who have no prior experience.

The top 10% of data entry clerks nationally earn about $28.26 an hour or more, roughly 1.4× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.

Data entry clerks input and maintain information in databases and systems. Requirements are low and remote options are common. Day to day, that means enter data accurately from source documents, verify and correct existing records, maintain database integrity and produce simple reports.

The usual route is: (1) apply — genuinely entry level, (2) build speed and accuracy, (3) learn database and spreadsheet tools, (4) move into admin, bookkeeping or analysis. Employers typically look for high school diploma typically, typing speed often tested and computer literacy.

Usually not. Most employers hire data entry clerks without a specific licence, and train on the job.

There are currently 5 open data entry clerks listed on LocalWork. Automation has reduced pure data entry, but roles combining entry with verification and admin remain common, and many are remote.