Data Entry Clerk Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A data entry clerk enters, updates and verifies information in company systems, from customer records to invoices to inventory counts. The work is repetitive by design, and the value of the role comes down to speed without sacrificing accuracy, since errors here quietly cause problems elsewhere in the business.
Data entry clerks work in healthcare, logistics, retail, government and insurance, usually inputting data into [a database / ERP / spreadsheet] from paper forms, scanned documents or other systems. Many roles are entry-level and some are remote or part-time, making this a common first office job for people who type quickly and stay focused on detail.
Data Entry Clerk job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Data Entry Clerk
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a data entry clerk to keep [records / orders / customer data] accurate and up to date in [system]. You'll enter and verify information quickly, catch errors before they spread, and keep our records audit-ready.
What you'll do
- Enter data accurately from [paper forms / scanned documents / source systems] into [database/ERP].
- Verify entered data against source documents for accuracy.
- Update and maintain existing records as new information arrives.
- Flag missing, inconsistent or duplicate data to the appropriate team.
- Organize and file physical and digital documents for easy retrieval.
- Generate basic reports or exports from the system as requested.
- Meet daily or weekly data entry volume and accuracy targets.
- Follow data privacy and confidentiality procedures for sensitive records.
What you'll bring
- [X]+ months of data entry or administrative experience, or willingness to train.
- Fast, accurate typing (typically [X] WPM or more).
- Comfort with spreadsheets and basic database or ERP systems.
- Strong attention to detail, especially with repetitive work.
- Ability to meet volume and accuracy targets consistently.
- Basic written communication for flagging issues to supervisors.
Nice to have
- Experience with [specific software, e.g. SAP, Salesforce or QuickBooks].
- Familiarity with [industry, e.g. healthcare records or logistics].
- Experience with OCR or scanning tools.
- Bilingual in [language] for processing varied source documents.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Flexible or part-time hours, remote option, performance bonuses]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a recruiter screen, a timed data entry and accuracy test, and a final conversation with the hiring supervisor.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Data Entry Clerk duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Enters straightforward data with regular quality checks from a supervisor.
- Learns the system and the formatting rules for different record types.
- Handles a steady volume of routine entries.
Mid-level
- Handles higher volumes and more varied source documents with little oversight.
- Catches and resolves data inconsistencies before escalation.
- Trains new clerks on system use and formatting standards.
Senior
- Oversees data quality for a team or department.
- Builds or improves templates and checks that reduce errors.
- Coordinates with other departments on recurring data issues.
Data Entry Clerk career path
- Data Entry Clerk
- Senior Data Entry Clerk
- Data Entry Supervisor
- Administrative or Operations Coordinator
Data entry clerk is a common first office job, needing little more than accurate typing and attention to detail to start. Experienced clerks move into administrative, bookkeeping or operations roles, or into supervisory positions overseeing other clerks.
Similar roles
- Administrative Assistant job description
Handles broader office support tasks beyond data input.
- Bookkeeper job description
Enters and manages financial data specifically, with accounting knowledge.
- Virtual Assistant job description
Supports a range of remote tasks rather than focused data input.
- Customer Support Specialist job description
Handles customer communication rather than internal records.
Data Entry Clerk job description FAQ
What does a data entry clerk do?
Enters, updates and verifies information in company systems, such as customer records, invoices or inventory data, usually from paper forms, scanned documents or other systems. Accuracy and speed matter more than specialized skills.
What skills should a data entry clerk job description require?
Fast and accurate typing, comfort with spreadsheets and basic database or ERP systems, and strong attention to detail with repetitive work. Specific software experience is a useful but optional extra.
Is data entry clerk an entry-level job?
Yes, most data entry roles are entry-level and train on the specific system used. Experience helps with speed and with handling messier source documents, but it's rarely a strict requirement.
Can a data entry clerk job be remote?
Often, yes, since the work mainly requires a computer and access to the company's system. State clearly whether the role is remote, hybrid or on-site, since that affects who applies.