n today’s “Information Age”, organizations need to process a rapidly increasing amount of data.  This makes the job of data entry all the more important.  Data entry employees help ensure the smooth and well-organized handling of information.  Data entry clerks keep companies organized by entering data onto computers, operating an assortment of office machines and performing many other clerical tasks.  In addition to these job titles-word processors, typists and data entry keyers-data entry workers are also known by many other titles, including transcribers, electronic data processors and keypunch technicians.

Some data entry employees set up and prepare all text material, such as reports, letters and mailing labels.  As an entry-level data entry, an employee may be asked to key headings on form letters, address envelopes or prepare standard forms on the computer.  As the employee gains experience and knowledge, they are often assigned to tasks that require a greater degree of accuracy and independent judgment. 

Senior data entry employees will often work with highly technical material, combine and rearrange materials from a different source, prepare master copies of important documents and plan and key complicated statistical tables. 

Data entry keyers will often enter lists of items, numbers, or similar data into computers or complete forms that appear on a computer screen.  They also may maneuver existing data, edit current data, or proofread new entries into a database for accurateness.  Examples of data sources include customers’ personal information, membership lists, and medical records.  Usually, this data is used within by a company and may be reformatted before other departments or customers use it.

Data entry keyers use a wide array of machines in their work.  One machine that is used converts the data they type to magnetic impulses on disks or tapes for entry into a computer system.  Another is a data entry-composing machine, which prepares materials for printing or publication.  Some data entry employees work online terminals or personal computers. 

Progressively more, data entry employees are working with no keyboard forms of character recognition systems.  These include scanners and electronically transmitted files.  When using the new character recognition systems, data entry keyers frequently enter only that data which cannot be distinguished by machines.  In several offices, keyers also operate computer secondary equipment such as printers and tape readers, act as tape librarians and perform other office duties.

In addition to their other duties, some data entry employees are expected to perform other clerical duties.  This may include: filing, operating copiers, answering telephones or operating other office machines.

Some companies will hire high school graduates who meet their keyboarding speed requirements.  Increasingly though, companies are looking for employees with a degree or certification in the field of data entry.  These degrees can be gotten from technical high school programs and colleges.  As always, potential employees look upon experience favorably.  Good spelling, grammar and punctuation skills are important in their field, as is a familiarity with computers and other standard office equipment. 

There are many sources with which to educate yourself in the field of data entry.  Some of these include community colleges, business schools, temporary employment agencies, as well as books, tapes and Internet tutorials.  Potential data entry employees should have skills in keyboarding, word processing, spread sheets and database management computer software.

Many employees will begin their careers in data entry, and use it as a stepping-stone to a higher-up position.  Large businesses and government agencies frequently have training programs to assist employees in upgrading their skills and advance to higher positions.  It is common for data entry workers to transfer to other administrative positions, such as statistical clerk, secretary, administrative assistant, or to be promoted to a supervisory position in a word processing or data entry center.

For those interested in working from home, there are many opportunities for a data entry clerk.  On the Internet, one can find many tutorial aids.  These aids will help the self-employed know where to get started.  Once you have educated yourself on the how-tos, there are many opportunities.  Many companies are looking for part-time or full-time employees to work from home.  This allows many stay at home/work from home parents, as well as individuals who are not able to travel, employment opportunities.

If you are considering working from home, some certification may be needed.  Other skills will be essential though.  You must have good computer skills.  This will include keyboarding skills, spreadsheet programs and the Internet.  You must also have good writing skills to contact potential employers.  Many of those who work from home will have their personal computers linked by telephone lines to those in the main office.  This arrangement allows the data entry employee to key from home while still being able to produce printed copy in the offices.

Data entry workers held approximately 525,000 jobs in 2004 and were employed in every sector of the economy; 330,000 were data entry keyers and 194,000 were word processors.  Roughly one out of five data entry employees held jobs in firms and another one in five work for governmental agencies, state and local.

There are many different levels of data entry, and each one has a different salary options.  As of March 2006, the median salary of an entry-level data entry clerk was 24,797 dollars per year.  The bottom 25th percentile of the profession made 22,115 dollars per year and the top 75th percentile made 27,899 dollars per year.

 The median salary of an intermediate-level data entry clerk was 27,822 dollars per year.  The bottom 25th percentile earned 24,812 dollars per year and the top 75th percentile earned 32,126 dollars per year. 

The median salary of a senior-level data entry clerk was 31,941 dollars per year.  The bottom 25th percentile earned 28,106 dollars per year, and the top 75th percentile earned 36,911 dollars per year.

The median salary of a data entry supervisor was 46,548 dollars per year.  The bottom 25th percentile earned 40,456 dollars per year, and the top 75th percentile earned 55,469 per year.

The following are median annual salaries in the industries employing the largest numbers of data entry keyers, as of 2004:

 Insurance carriers    $23,980

 Accounting, bookkeeping,    23,120
 and tax preparation services 

 Data processing, hosting and    20,750
 related services

 Employment services    21,550

 Depository credit intermediation  21,950

Total employment of data entry clerks is projected to decline through 2014. Nevertheless, there is always a need to replace data entry clerks who leave the field or the work force, thus there are positions to be had.  Job prospects will always be most favorable for those with the best technical skills, in particular, computer skills.  Salary will always be higher for those with certification and experience.  Data entry clerks must be willing to update their skills to remain marketable and attain higher earnings.

The growth of this field is being stunted by technology.  Various data-capturing technologies, such as: voice recognition technologies, bar code scanners and sophisticated character recognition readers are taking the place of many data entry clerks.  Additionally, as telecommunications technology becomes more sophisticated, many organizations will progressively more take advantage of computer networks that allow data to be transmitted electronically.  That cuts into the duties of the data entry clerk.  Thus, the more skilled you are, the more job security you will have.

In addition to being affected by technology, companies are increasingly contracting out the work of data entry.  Many businesses have eliminated their full-time data entry clerks in favor of temporary services.  Some of the larger companies have also begun outsourcing data entry jobs to workers in nations with relatively lower wages.  As international trade barriers continue to fall and technology improves, this will mean a reduced demand for data entry employees.