Have you ever observed the movement of fingers typing on a keyboard?
Don’t you love the rhythm the keys produce every time they get hit?
Well, typing is a craft, a skill that you can master with practice.
But what if we tell you that this skill can help you earn hundreds of dollars while sitting at home?
If you have good keyboard skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a strong inclination for accuracy, you are the perfect fit for a data entry job.
You may find a variety of data entry job postings in an independent consultant structure.
Furthermore, you can apply for a full-time job, part-time, or even freelancing positions.
Not to mention, you can find thousands of online jobs across different industries and even some specifically for moms and dads.
Many companies offer work-from-home flexibility when it comes to data entry jobs.
After all, who does not like to have an extra source of income besides a full-time job?
The Skills and Job Requirements

The term explains the job role itself.
A standard job requires you to enter different types of information into a documentation platform or database.
Some positions require you to transcribe data from phone conversations or recordings.
While the basic job remains the same, the roles may vary slightly from one industry to another.
Great typing speed is a prerequisite for any position.
Furthermore, proficiency in Word processing platforms, such as Microsoft Office and Microsoft Excel, is also a must.
In most cases, if you have a high school diploma, you are good to go.
Some industries, however, may require you to have a bachelor’s degree to apply for a data entry job.
How Much Can You Earn?
According to PayScale, the hourly wage for entry-level operators ranges anywhere between $10 and $17.
The more skills and experience you have, the higher you get paid.
The income also varies depending on the type of data entry, your typing speed, and, in some cases, your qualifications.
The average pay of an operator is $12.92 per hour.
Data entry is one of the most convenient options for people looking to work from the comfort of their homes.
If you have good typing skills and know-how of word processing apps, supplement your income with an online job.
Sitting in the comfort of your home, you can earn from $200 to $1000 per month through offline and online jobs by simply entering data.
Industries That Recruit Data Entry Operators
Depending on your qualifications, level of expertise, and area of interest, you can work as an operator or typist in the following industries.
· Accounting and Finance
When working in a financial institution, a data entry specialist deals with data related to auditing, payroll, tax preparation, accounts, and corporate finances.
· Sales and Retail
This industry offers flexible data entry jobs in the inventory, logistics, online sales, and collection departments.
· Health Sector
Employers such as hospitals, diagnostic labs, medical centers, and clinics offer different data entry positions, such as transcribing data or coding.
· Government Organizations
Besides the corporate sector, local, federal, and state governments also hire skilled data entry professionals. The operator may be required to keep records, enter election statistics, etc.
Different Roles
Data entry jobs are not only limited to typing.
Rather, as a professional, you may get different interesting roles.
Even if you are not an expert, you can still make money through simpler jobs.
Here are some of the common data-entry jobs that you may want to apply for:
1. Basic Typing Jobs
Typing is the most common data entry job. The only skill the employers seek is a typing speed of at least 34 words per minute. You have to type anything into a Word document or Excel spreadsheet.
2. Catalog and Payroll Data Entry Operator
The catalog data entry operator is responsible for creating an inventory list in the Excel spreadsheet. Similarly, the payroll data entry operator has to create payroll lists in a spreadsheet. So, proficiency in MS Excel is a prerequisite for these jobs.
3. Micro Jobs
You can also join websites that offer micro jobs, i.e., different data tasks, and earn up to $200 per month.
4. Captcha Entry Jobs
All you have to do is log in with your username on the software and type the Captcha images. Entering captcha is one fun job that can earn you up to $500 per month. For Captcha images? I don’t know about you, but that is almost a no-brainer if you ask me.
5. Filling Survey Forms
Online survey sites also offer data entry jobs. The role entails filling out online forms; the companies use these surveys to improve their products. Some companies also offer form-filling data entry jobs; you either have to fill in the given information or search online. Then, of course, you have the free survey sites like Swagbucks that pay you to take surveys and do simple tasks.
Some other popular data entry jobs include:
- Copy and paste – you must have command over English as you have to read the material before copying it from one Excel sheet to another or Word file to another.
- Formatting – people with good knowledge of Word formatting options, such as indentation and alignment, should apply for this job.
- Medical Transcription and Medical Coding – To transcribe the data accurately, you must have good listening skills. In medical coding, your job is to enter the codes of products and require you to have proper knowledge of the field.
Finding a Legitimate Online Job
If you have the required skills, you can hunt for jobs at different freelance project websites, such as Fiverr.com and Freelancer.com.
Online data entry jobs provide you with the flexibility to work from home and earn extra money.
Besides the cash flow, you also earn valuable experience.
However, make sure to be careful of the online scams that take advantage of people looking for work-from-home opportunities.
Researching is one smart way to determine whether the company you are working for is legitimate.
You may also search for the authenticity of the company on the Better Business Bureau’s website, www.bbb.org.
Another website that may help you spot potential scammers is ConsumerFraudReporting.org.
It is important to be self-motivated, organized, and disciplined enough to work from home.
Before you start hunting for a data entry job, make sure you have these skills and not just professional requirements.