Data Entry Clerk — Records, Claims and Document Processing, US Employers

Health systems, insurers, banks, law firms, logistics operators and government agencies across the United States hire data entry clerks to key, verify and correct records. It is a genuine entry point into office work with no degree requirement, and it is an occupation the federal government projects will shrink sharply over the next decade.

What the work involves

Keying customer, patient, claims or financial records into a database or line-of-business system; digitising paper through scanning and correcting what optical character recognition gets wrong; cross-checking data against source documents; and maintaining spreadsheets and simple reports. Specialised versions add medical or legal terminology and the compliance rules that come with them.

What the role is screened on

• Typing speed with accuracy — commonly 50 words per minute at 95 per cent or better, and accuracy is weighted above speed
• Microsoft Excel and Word, Google Sheets, and whatever database or records system the employer runs
• Attention to detail, tested rather than asserted — expect a timed assessment during the application
• A high school diploma; a degree is rarely required
• Reliable internet and a quiet workspace for remote positions

What it pays

• The federal median for data entry keyers is $39,850 a year, or $19.16 an hour — about 19.5 per cent below the $49,500 median across all US occupations
• Remote roles pay at, not above, that median. Advertised remote rates of $19 to $21 an hour straddle it
• The specialised versions pay more — medical records, claims and legal document work, where judgement and terminology are part of the job

Before you apply

Treat this as an entry point with a deadline on it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects data entry keyer employment down 25.9 per cent between 2024 and 2034. Take the role, and use it to reach exception handling, verification, medical or legal records, or analysis — the parts of the work that involve a decision rather than a keystroke.

Note: pay, schedule, equipment and remote eligibility are set by each employer — not by JobGader. Legitimate employers never ask you to pay for training or equipment. Confirm the details on the employer's own advertisement before applying.