The national average salary for data entry clerks in 2026 is approximately $19.29 per hour ($40,130 annually), with a median of $18.17 per hour ($37,790 annually). Salaries vary significantly based on experience, location, and skill set, with the highest-paying areas typically found in coastal tech and finance hubs. Total compensation often exceeds base pay due to bonuses and benefits, highlighting the importance of evaluating overall compensation packages rather than just hourly rates.
In this article
The national average data entry clerk salary sits at roughly $19.29 per hour ($40,130 annually) based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, though the range across experience levels, industries, and locations is wide enough that two clerks doing nearly identical work can earn $13 or $26 per hour.
- Median hourly pay: $18.17/hr; median annual pay approximately $37,790
- Common hourly range: $15.70–$22.13 for the middle 50% of earners
- Highest-paying metros: Coastal tech and finance hubs consistently outpace the national median
State-by-state benchmarks are in the section below. Negotiation tactics are toward the end.
What does a data entry clerk salary look like nationally?
The BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey covers 154,230 employed data entry keyers and gives the most statistically rigorous picture of the market. The mean hourly wage is $19.29 and the mean annual wage is $40,130. Because a small number of high earners pull the mean up, the median ($18.17/hr) is the more practical benchmark for most job seekers.
Indeed’s 2026 salary data puts the average closer to $19.94/hr, while PayScale’s 2026 sample reports approximately $17.12/hr. Salary.com’s June 2026 figures show an average of $35,140/yr (roughly $17/hr). The spread between sources reflects differences in sample composition, job-title definitions, and how each platform weights employer-reported versus self-reported data.
U.S. Data Entry Clerk Pay Percentiles (2026)
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Approximate Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.58 | ~$28,246 |
| 25th | $15.70 | ~$32,656 |
| 50th (Median) | $18.17 | ~$37,774 |
| 75th | $22.13 | ~$46,030 |
| 90th | $26.60 | ~$55,328 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Reading the table practically: if you are entry-level with no specialized software skills, expect to land near the 25th percentile. Add advanced Excel, OCR workflows, or healthcare-specific data systems and the 75th percentile becomes a realistic target within two to three years.
Glassdoor’s employer-reported data places total pay around $39,807/yr, with a base salary average near $37,017/yr. The gap between base and total pay reflects bonuses and overtime, which are covered in the compensation section below.
How does remote data entry pay compare with on-site roles?
Remote data entry clerk pay tends to track closely with the national median rather than a specific city’s rate, which is both an advantage and a limitation. A clerk in rural Mississippi working remotely for a San Francisco employer typically earns more than local market rates but less than what an on-site San Francisco hire would command.
Typical remote median pay falls in the $18.17/hr range, consistent with the national BLS figures. A few factors push it higher or lower:
- Employer location policy: Some companies pay to local market; others pay a flat national rate regardless of where the employee lives.
- Role classification: W-2 remote employees receive employer-paid payroll taxes, health benefits, and paid time off. A 1099 contractor earning $20/hr effectively earns less once self-employment tax (~15.3%) and out-of-pocket benefits costs are factored in. The effective hourly equivalent for a 1099 role often needs to be $3–$5 higher than a W-2 offer to break even.
- Competition: Remote postings attract national applicant pools, which can suppress rates for generalist data entry work.
- Specialization premium: Remote roles requiring healthcare coding familiarity, financial data reconciliation, or CRM data hygiene consistently pay above the remote median.
The W-2 vs. 1099 distinction is one of the most overlooked factors in data entry clerk compensation. Always ask an employer to confirm classification before comparing offers.
Total compensation components that affect your actual take-home value
Base pay is the starting point, not the full picture. Two clerks earning the same hourly rate can have meaningfully different annual earnings depending on how their employers structure total compensation.
Common compensation elements to evaluate:
- Paid time off: — Two weeks of PTO on a $40,000 salary represents roughly $1,538 in paid non-working time.
- Performance bonuses: — Glassdoor data shows total pay averaging $39,807/yr versus a base of $37,017/yr, a gap largely explained by bonuses and other variable pay.
A quick worked example: A clerk earning $18.17/hr ($37,774/yr base) who works 100 hours of overtime annually at $27.26/hr adds $2,726. Employer-provided health coverage worth $6,000/yr and two weeks of PTO worth $1,449 bring the effective total compensation to roughly $47,949, well above what the hourly rate alone suggests.
When reviewing a job posting, ask specifically: Is overtime available or expected? Is health coverage employer-paid or employee-paid? Are bonuses discretionary or formula-based? These three questions reveal more about real compensation than the posted salary range.
How these figures were compiled and what the source differences mean
Salary figures for data entry roles vary across sources because each platform uses a different methodology. Understanding those differences helps you use the numbers correctly.
Primary sources used in this article:
- Data Entry Keyers
- Data Entry Salary, Hourly Rate (June 01, 2026) in the United States | Salary.com
- Hourly wage for Data Entry Clerk I | Salary.com
- Data Entry Clerk salary – Glassdoor
- Data entry clerk salary in United States (Updated 2026)
- Data Entry Clerk Hourly Pay in 2026 | PayScale
- Data Entry Operators salary | Salary.com
- Data Entry Clerk Salary in Texas, United States (2026)
The spread between sources ($35,140 from Salary.com to $40,130 from BLS) reflects real differences in what each platform counts as “data entry clerk” and how it weights the sample. BLS captures a broader occupational definition; Salary.com’s benchmark skews toward formal employer-reported compensation surveys. Neither is wrong. Use BLS for percentile benchmarking and Indeed or Glassdoor for real-time market checks.
Key Takeaways
The U.S. median data entry clerk salary of $18.17/hr places most earners between $32,660 and $46,030 annually, with location, industry, and technical skills driving the largest pay gaps.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| National median pay | BLS reports $18.17/hr ($37,774/yr); the middle 50% of earners fall between $15.70 and $22.13/hr. |
| Location drives the biggest gaps | Texas averages $41,780/yr; California and New York exceed $46,000/yr; Southeast markets average near $34,500/yr. |
| Skills and title move the needle | Data Entry Operators average $45,456/yr vs. $40,130/yr for Clerk I; adding OCR, CRM, or QA skills accelerates advancement. |
| Total comp beats base pay | Overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits can add $8,000–$10,000/yr above the base hourly rate. |
| Careerscape placement advantage | Careerscape connects data entry candidates to contract and direct-hire roles in higher-paying sectors like healthcare and financial services. |
What Careerscape sees in the data entry hiring market right now
The numbers tell one story; the hiring patterns tell another. Across the administrative roles Careerscape places, demand for data entry clerks with verified accuracy metrics and at least one enterprise software proficiency has grown noticeably. Hiring managers in healthcare and financial services are no longer satisfied with a resume that lists “fast typist.” They want candidates who can demonstrate a documented error rate, familiarity with their specific data systems, and an understanding of compliance requirements.
The candidates who move fastest through the hiring process, and who command offers at or above the 75th percentile, are the ones who quantify their performance upfront, as explained in this practical guide to recruiting AI for HR teams. Typing speed in words per minute, error rate per thousand keystrokes, and volume handled per shift are the metrics that convert a generic application into a competitive one. If you are preparing to apply for data entry roles, build those numbers into your resume before you submit.
Careerscape places data entry candidates in roles that pay above the median
Careerscape specializes in connecting qualified administrative professionals with employers in healthcare, financial services, and professional services, the sectors where data entry clerk compensation consistently runs above the national median. Rather than applying blind to public postings, candidates who work with Careerscape get direct access to contract staffing roles and direct-hire placements that are pre-screened for pay, benefits, and growth potential.
The process is straightforward: submit your background through Careerscape’s data entry clerk staffing page, and a recruiter will match your verified skills to open roles. No guesswork on whether the pay is competitive. No wasted applications on postings that underpay.
Useful sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Data Entry Keyers: Employer-reported national percentiles and employment totals; most recent release May 2023. The authoritative benchmark for percentile pay tables.
- Salary.com — Data Entry Salary: Compensation survey-based national average ($35,140/yr); updated June 2026. Useful for employer-side benchmarking.
- Salary.com — Data Entry Clerk I Hourly Wages: Title-specific benchmark showing Clerk I through Supervisor progression; updated 2026.
- Glassdoor — Data Entry Clerk Salary: Employee and employer-reported data including total pay estimates (~$39,807/yr); continuously updated.
- Indeed — Data Entry Clerk Salary: Aggregated from job postings and self-reports; average $19.94/hr; updated 2026.
- PayScale — Data Entry Clerk Hourly Pay: Skills-weighted self-reported data; average ~$17.12/hr; 2026 data.
- Salary.com — Data Entry Operators: Occupational title comparison showing Operators averaging $45,456/yr; June 2026.
- ERI — Data Entry Clerk Salary in Texas: Geographic salary modeling for Texas; average $41,780/yr ($20.09/hr); 2026 snapshot.
FAQ
What does a data entry clerk do?
A data entry clerk inputs, verifies, and maintains records in databases, spreadsheets, or proprietary software systems. Common tasks include processing forms, reconciling records, and flagging errors for review.
Is being a data entry clerk worth it?
For candidates building an administrative career, data entry roles offer a reliable entry point with clear advancement paths. Pay at the 75th percentile reaches $22.13/hr, and clerks who add technical skills can move into specialist or supervisor titles paying significantly more.
What qualifications do I need to be a data entry clerk?
Most employers require a high school diploma, strong typing speed (typically 45–60 WPM), and basic computer proficiency. Roles in healthcare or finance often add sector-specific software requirements or a preference for an associate degree.
Is data entry easy or hard?
The core tasks are learnable quickly, but sustained accuracy under volume pressure is harder than it looks. High-performing clerks maintain low error rates across thousands of keystrokes per shift, which requires focus and process discipline.
How does remote data entry pay compare with office-based roles?
Remote data entry clerk pay typically tracks the national median ($18.17/hr) rather than a local market rate. W-2 remote roles offer comparable total compensation to on-site positions; 1099 contract remote roles need to pay $3–$5/hr more to offset self-employment taxes and benefits costs.
Recommended
- Data Entry Clerk Salary 2026 — Typing, Processing & Remote Pay
- Salary Guide – 450+ Job Salaries by Industry | Careerscape
- Data Annotation Specialist Salary Data 2026 | Careerscape