Job Description for a Data Entry Specialist
A data entry specialist is responsible for entering information into computers as well as performing other administrative duties within an office setting. Data entry specialists may be called typists or electronic data processors. They may proofread information for accuracy as well as update data as information changes.
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Work Environment
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Most data entry specialists work in clean, well-lit office spaces. Though many data processors work a standard 40-hour workweek, advances in communication and Internet technology have allowed some to work from home, giving them freedom to work during off-hours.
The nature of the information that data entry specialists input depends on the type of business they work for. These businesses can include medical clinics, retail corporations, financial institutions as well as government offices. Often this data is personal in nature or confidential.
Qualifications
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Most data entry specialists need only a high school degree. Usually on-the-job training is provided, though candidates should possess a good working knowledge of word processor or spreadsheet programs. Successful candidates should be able to type and have adequate keyboarding skills. Most community colleges offer classes to help students learn the fundamentals of typing or general office skills and management, all of which are important skills for a student hoping to enter the data entry field.
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Salary
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2008, the median hourly wage of a data entry specialist working in the United States was $12.56. The bottom 10 percent of data entry specialists earned $8.62 an hour, while the top 10 percent earned more than $18.40 per hour. Data entry specialists working in the medical field earned slightly more per hour than most other data entry specialists, with a median wage over $15.90 an hour. The highest-paid data entry specialists work in the natural gas distribution industry, where pay averaged $22.13 per hour in 2008.
Employment Outlook
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of data entry specialists will decline by about 6 percent between 2008 to 2018. BLS attributes this to improvements in technology that make it easier for business owners to enter their own data. Additionally, there is less societal pressure for business owners to hire assistants to perform the bulk of their administrative tasks. Also, during times of economic decline, business owners cut jobs, which diminishes the number of data entry positions available.
Job Prospects
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Because data entry specialists are entry-level office positions, the turnover rate is fairly high. This is good news for a candidate looking to enter the field. As workers move to other occupations the result should be plentiful job openings each year, even with the decline of newly added positions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Successful candidates for these openings will have good technical skills and will continuously sharpen their skills to remain competitive.
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References
- Photo Credit computer image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
