A data entry specialist, also known as a data entry operator or clerk, enters information from handwritten or physical records into a computer system. These records can be bills, reports, medical records, canceled checks, or other data. They are responsible for ensuring data is entered accurately, and that it can be easily referenced if necessary. Data entry specialist jobs are generally considered entry-level.
The most common jobs before becoming a data entry specialist are customer service representative, administrative assistant, and cashier. Getting a certification as a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) will help you to earn more as a data entry specialist.
Why Data Entry?
Data entry is not a new career field and has been around for a long time. However, as more and more companies’ requirements for digitizing data have increased, so has the demand for the job role. The gig economy boom and growing outsourcing of back-office jobs by companies have contributed to the increased employment opportunities in the data entry industry.
Data entry professionals work in the administrative department of organizations and have little to no client-facing situations, making it one of the best career options for introvert. Along with the freedom to work on your own independently, you can choose your working hours by going for full-time, part-time, or freelance positions. That allows you to work in-house for the organization or from the comforts of your home.
Additionally, getting into the data entry industry is not difficult, and it does not require you to have high qualifications or extensive training. Despite that, being a data entry specialist opens doors for you to work in various industries, including health care, IT, banking and finance, logistics, and more.
Job of a Data Entry Specialist
As mentioned earlier, data entry specialists are responsible for entering data in a digital format into a database or a record using applications. Additionally, there’s more to the part than just entering the data. The job also involves converting raw input data into valuable information using various methods, including calculations, sorting, and more.
The following are the responsibilities of a data entry specialist:
- Gathering information to enter.
- Ensuring accuracy of the data.
- Organizing and maintaining data in documents or spreadsheets.
- Keeping the data updated and free from errors.
- Maintaining a backup of data.
- Creating reports based on collected data for information analysis.
- Ensuring data integrity and security.
Further, your responsibilities depend on the organization you work for. Large-scale organizations might require you to handle simple data entry operations, leaving the rest of the tasks like collecting information and creating reports for the team.
On the other hand, working for startups and mid-level organizations might demand working on all the operations, right from gathering information to entering data and creating information analysis.
Things to consider to become a data entry specialist in 2022
Explore Data Entry Specialist Education
If you’re interested in becoming a data entry specialist, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 37.8% of data entry specialists have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 3.5% of data entry specialists have master’s degrees. Even though some data entry specialists have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Complete Relevant Training/Internship
Data entry specialists spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new data entry specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a data entry specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data entry specialist resumes.
Get Data Entry Specialist Certifications
Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don’t require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. We determined the most common certifications for data entry specialists. The most common certification is Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), but Word 2010 Certification is also frequently seen in data entry specialists’ resumes.
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Word 2010 Certification
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
- Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019)
- International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
- Certified Data Management Professional – Data Management (CDP-DM)
- Certified Medical Interpreter – Spanish (CMI)
Research Data Entry Specialist Duties
When you decide to become a data entry specialist, It’s important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most data entry specialist jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:
- Coordinate with project supervisors and fellow employees in measures to improve accuracy in data input and field-to-correspondence communication methods.
- Enter ten-key data; the fastest keystrokes reach 104 wpm.
- Assemble data in the format requested by the client using SQL and in-house data management software.
- Land Venezuela 1- 2D and 3D designers perform processing and QC for land acquisition seismic.
- Used SQL scripts to process and automate crack and lane detection on files that require it.
- Enter bank account information on individual life policies in Guard-O-Matic (ACH) payment plan.
Prepare your resume
Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.
How to Apply for a Data Entry Specialist Job
With your ready resume, it’s time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you’re interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
What is the Salary of a Data Entry Specialist
As a data entry specialist, you can be paid in various ways depending on the nature of your employment. If you’re a full-time data entry specialist, you get a fixed monthly salary. On the other hand, if you choose to work part-time or freelance, you can get paid per word, words you type per minute or hours you invest in a particular project, depending on your client.
According to Payscale, the average salary of a data entry specialist is around $40,157 per year or $15.92 per hour. Additionally, most organizations pay according to the speed and accuracy of typing. The higher your speed and accuracy of entering data, the more you get paid.
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