Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Data entry keyers focus on accurately entering and updating information, often working with computers and digital systems. National employment stands at 142,000, indicating a sizable workforce in this occupation. The national median annual salary is $39,850, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of -25.9% signals a significant decline over time, but there are still an estimated 10,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing turnover and replacement needs. This role is well aligned with people who are detail oriented, comfortable with computers and information technology, and able to maintain focus on repetitive tasks. Success can also be supported by strengths in writing and reading, interpersonal skills, and customer service. For those exploring related paths, similar occupations include court, municipal, and license clerks; gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators; production, planning, and expediting clerks; information and record clerks, all other; and legal secretaries and administrative assistants.
Data entry keyers earn a national median annual salary of $39,850, but pay varies by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $43,910 in Colorado up to $47,560 in Massachusetts. California ($47,010), Washington ($47,480), and New York ($44,860) also offer median salaries above the national median. At the metro level, pay can be higher still. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, shows a median salary of $54,510, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, reports $51,250. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, has a median of $45,350, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, stands at $47,640. These figures indicate that location choices can significantly influence earning potential, with some large metro areas and certain states offering higher median salaries than the national figure for this occupation.
Data entry keyers currently have national employment of 142,000, with projected employment growth of -25.9%. This projection points to a substantial decline in the number of positions over the forecast period. Despite this negative growth rate, the occupation is expected to have about 10,000 annual openings. These openings are likely to reflect job changes and replacement needs within the existing workforce rather than expansion. Individuals considering this path should recognize that, while there are still opportunities to enter the field, the overall number of jobs is projected to shrink. This makes it especially important to pay attention to location, potential employers, and how the role fits into longer-term career plans. Exploring the similar occupations listed—such as information and record clerks, all other, or production, planning, and expediting clerks—may also be useful when thinking about long-range options.
Location has a clear impact on opportunity and pay for data entry keyers. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 14,520 and a median salary of $47,010, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts combines a median salary of $47,560 with an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York offers employment of 9,470 and a median salary of $44,860. Colorado and Washington show median salaries of $43,910 and $47,480, respectively, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s. All listed states share the same projected growth rate of -25.9% for this occupation. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $54,510. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, metro has the highest employment (10,110) and a strong opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, also show relatively high salaries and solid opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for data entry keyers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This creates an entry point for individuals who may not have completed postsecondary education but are comfortable working with information. The skill profile emphasizes being detail oriented and having strength in computers and information technology, both of which support accurate and efficient data entry work. Fine motor skills can help with precise keyboard use, while writing and reading skills are important for handling written information. Interpersonal skills and customer service can be valuable when the role involves interacting with colleagues or clients. Adaptability, creativity and innovation, leadership, and critical and analytical thinking round out the skill set, supporting problem-solving and flexibility on the job. Together, this combination of a relatively modest formal education requirement and a broad set of workplace skills can make the occupation accessible to a wide range of candidates.
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