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How much do data entry jobs really pay?
Employed US data entry keyers earn a median $19.88 an hour, but the job is projected to shrink, and it attracts scams.
Real data entry exists, but it is a shrinking job. The US Department of Labor lists a median of $19.88 an hour for employed data entry keyers and projects a decline to 2035. Online offers of high pay for easy typing should make you careful, not excited.
What do you need for data entry?
- Fast, accurate typingAccuracy is the job.
- Spreadsheet skillsThe work sits in spreadsheets and forms.
- A real employer or clientOne you can check independently.
What data entry really pays
| Item | Amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| US median, employed | $19.88 an hour | 2025 figure, or $41,340 a year |
| Job outlook | Decline (1% or more) | Projected 2025 to 2035, with 7,700 openings |
| Online and freelance rates | No official figure | Set by you and your client |
The openings number covers the whole US, and it counts replacements for people leaving, not only new jobs.
What it adds up to
| Hours a week | A week at $19.88 an hour |
|---|---|
| 10 hours a week | $198.80 |
| 20 hours a week | $397.60 |
| 40 hours a week | $795.20 |
The US median for employed data entry keyers, before tax. Freelance rates have no official figure. Our sums on the US figure above: an example, not a promise.
When does data entry pay you?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Paid out at | Set by your employer |
| First money | Set by your employer |
What is the catch with data entry?
- The FTC says honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job.
- Being asked to buy software or training to start is a warning sign, because you would be paying to get a job.
- A cheque that arrives before the work, with part to send on, is a scam according to the FTC.
How to start with data entry
- Check the company independentlyFind it yourself. Do not use only the link you were sent.
- Never pay to startNot for training, software or a deposit.
- Build a second skillBookkeeping clerks have a higher US median: $24.36 against $19.88.
- Look at employed roles tooThe official median comes from real employers.
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Sources
- O*NET (US Department of Labor): Data Entry Keyers, checked 5 Nov 2026
- FTC: job scams, checked 5 Nov 2026
- FTC Data Spotlight: Paying to get paid (12 Dec 2024), checked 5 Nov 2026
- O*NET (US Department of Labor): Bookkeeping Clerks, checked 5 Nov 2026